zau1 zai3周濟周济
Jyutpingzau1 zai3
Yalejāu jai
Definition
To give financial relief or material assistance to the needy.
neutralpeoplemoney
How it's used
This term carries a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone compared to everyday words like 幫忙. It specifically implies providing material support or money to someone in a difficult situation rather than just general assistance. You will often hear it used in contexts involving social welfare or moral duty to support those less fortunate.
Examples
He really likes helping the needy.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general help, but it is specifically reserved for charitable or financial aid. Using it to describe helping someone with a simple task like moving furniture sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
