zai3祭
Jyutpingzai3
Yalejai
Definition
To worship, pay respect to, or offer sacrifices to ancestors, the deceased, or deities in a ceremony.
neutralfamilyfestival
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in the context of ancestral worship or religious rituals, this term carries a formal and solemn weight. In everyday speech, it is rarely used as a standalone verb and is almost always paired with 拜 to form the compound 拜祭. It specifically refers to the act of offering food, incense, or prayers to the deceased or deities, distinguishing it from casual prayer.
Examples
Many people go to worship their ancestors during the Ching Ming Festival.
Did you go to pay your respects this year?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word for general prayer or casual religious practice. It is strictly reserved for memorial rites or sacrificial offerings, making it inappropriate for describing daily or personal worship.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
