zai6滯滞
Jyutpingzai6
Yalejaih
Definition
Slow, sluggish, or lacking in dexterity.
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How it's used
Describes a lack of agility or a sluggish pace, often implying someone is not quick on their feet or slow to react. It frequently appears in contexts involving physical movement or mental processing speed. Unlike the Mandarin usage related to digestion, the Cantonese sense focuses on the lack of dexterity or efficiency.
Examples
He is very slow at work and always needs help.
Related words
Common phrases
clumsy or slow with one's hands and feet
slow to react
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin meaning of feeling bloated after eating, which is not the primary way this character is used in spoken Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
