wai4圍围
Jyutpingwai4
Yalewàih
Definition
Walled village, especially in the context of historical settlements in Hong Kong and Guangdong.
colloquialplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to the traditional fortified settlements built by the Punti people in the New Territories. While the character itself means to surround or enclose, when used as a noun in this context, it is almost exclusively shorthand for 圍村. It carries a strong sense of local heritage and ancestral clan identity.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this noun usage with the verb 圍, which means to surround or besiege. Ensure you use the classifier 條 when referring to a specific village to avoid sounding unnatural.
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.
