zat6 zai2侄仔
Jyutpingzat6 zai2
Yalejaht jái
Definition
Nephew; specifically, a man's brother's son, or a woman's husband's brother's son.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Cantonese distinguishes between siblings' children based on gender and side of the family, unlike the broader English term nephew. Use 侄仔 specifically for a brother's son, whereas a sister's son is referred to as 姨甥. This distinction is strictly maintained in traditional family structures.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
My nephew just started university this year.
When are you going to bring your nephew out to play?
Related words
Common phrases
nephew by blood
Common mistake
Do not use 侄仔 for a sister's son, as that is incorrect; use 姨甥 instead. Also, ensure you do not confuse it with 姪女 when referring to a female child of your brother.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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.
