zai3際际
Jyutpingzai3
Yalejai
Definition
A border, boundary, or the outer margin of an area.
writtenplacesdescriptions
How it's used
Functions primarily as a formal or literary morpheme rather than a standalone noun in daily speech. It appears most frequently in compound words to denote abstract boundaries or specific moments in time. When referring to physical borders or edges in casual conversation, speakers almost always prefer using 邊 or 邊緣 instead.
Examples
This is the boundary between the two of us.
Do you know where the border of this country is?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a direct substitute for the physical edge of an object like a table or a piece of paper, as it sounds overly academic or poetic. It is better suited for conceptual or geographical boundaries.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
