zap1 zai2執仔执仔
Jyutpingzap1 zai2
Yalejāp jái
Definition
To deliver a baby, or to provide care and assistance to women during pregnancy and childbirth.
colloquialfamilydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the practical, hands-on support provided to a pregnant woman or a new mother. It carries a sense of domestic duty and personal care, often implying tasks like running errands, preparing meals, or managing household needs during the vulnerable period of gestation and recovery. It is a very informal term used primarily within family or close social circles.
Examples
His wife is about to give birth, he is busy taking care of her.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the medical profession of a midwife, which is 接生. Using 執仔 in a formal or clinical setting would sound inappropriate and overly casual.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
