wai4 kwan2圍裙围裙
Jyutpingwai4 kwan2
Yalewàih kwán
Definition
Apron; a protective garment worn over the front of the body to keep clothes clean or as a uniform.
colloquialhomedaily actions
How it's used
While the character 戴 is standard for accessories like glasses or hats, Cantonese speakers often use 圍 for the action of putting on an apron. It functions as a protective layer in both domestic kitchens and professional service environments. You will frequently hear it mentioned when someone is preparing to handle messy tasks like deep frying or cleaning.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Remember to put on your apron when you cook.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 穿 for putting on an apron, but 戴 or 圍 are the natural choices in spoken Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
