zai3 joek3制約制约
Jyutpingzai3 joek3
Yalejai yeuk
Definition
To restrict, constrain, or place limits on something.
writtenother
How it's used
Primarily used in formal, legal, or political contexts to describe the balancing of power or the imposition of formal rules. It carries a heavier, more institutional weight than everyday words like 限制 or 規管. You will frequently encounter it in news reports or academic discussions regarding governance and constitutional checks.
Examples
Their power is completely unrestricted.
How does the law restrict this kind of behavior?
Related words
Common phrases
to be subject to restrictions
checks on power
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual conversation to describe simple physical limitations, such as being unable to move or being stuck in traffic. For those situations, use 限制 or 困住 instead.
Grammar color guide
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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).
