zap1 si6執事执事
Jyutpingzap1 si6
Yalejāp sih
Definition
Deacon, butler, or an administrator who executes tasks.
- technicaldeacon; sidesman; church officer
- butler; steward; major-domo
- datedan administrator, attendant, or person who executes tasks
neutralpeople
How it's used
Primarily refers to a deacon in a Christian church context in modern Hong Kong. While historically it meant a general servant or someone tasked with chores, using it in that sense today sounds archaic or overly formal. It is rarely used to describe a butler or general steward in contemporary daily speech.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He has been a deacon in the church for many years.
Just leave these trivial matters for the deacon to handle.
Related words
Common phrases
church deacon
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 執嘢, which is a common colloquial verb phrase meaning to pack things or tidy up. Using 執事 as a verb to mean tidying up is incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
