zeoi1沮
Jyutpingzeoi1
Yalejēui
Definition
A Chinese surname.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Used almost exclusively as a rare surname in Hong Kong. It is often confused with the much more common surname 徐, which is pronounced differently but shares a similar visual structure in some fonts. When introducing someone with this surname, it is common to clarify the character by describing its components to avoid confusion with more frequent names.
Examples
Is that Mr. Chui your friend?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the common surname 徐, as they are distinct characters with different pronunciations and meanings. It is also rarely used outside of its function as a surname in modern Cantonese.
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.
