zai3 dou6制度
Jyutpingzai3 dou6
Yalejai douh
Definition
System; a coordinated set of rules, regulations, or policies that govern behavior.
neutralworkother
How it's used
Refers specifically to formal structures, organizational rules, or established frameworks rather than casual habits or personal ways of doing things. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in daily life when complaining about workplace policies or government structures. It carries a sense of rigidity or institutional authority.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The system in this company is very unfair.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe personal habits or informal routines, as it implies a structured, often bureaucratic, set of rules. Use 習慣 or 規矩 for less formal contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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).
