zau1州

Jyutpingzau1

Yalejāu

名詞Uncommon

Definition

A state; a level of administrative division typically used in federated countries.

neutralplaces

How it's used

This term is almost exclusively used when discussing foreign administrative divisions, such as those in the United States or Australia. It is not used for local Hong Kong districts or Chinese provinces, which are referred to as 省. When referring to historical Chinese divisions, it often appears in place names like 廣州 or 蘇州, but these function as proper nouns rather than the administrative unit itself.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢喺hai2嗰go2個go3州zau1住zyu6咗zo2好hou2耐noi6喇。

He has lived in that state for a long time.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知bin1邊go3個zau1州zeoi3最daai6大aa4呀？

Do you know which state is the largest?

Common phrases

zau1州zing3政fu2府

state government

gaa1加zau1州

California

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 省, which is the standard term for provinces in China. Using 州 to describe a Chinese province will sound incorrect to native speakers.