zeoi3 ji5蕞爾蕞尔
Jyutpingzeoi3 ji5
Yalejeui yíh
Definition
Tiny; very small; insignificant.
writtenplacesdescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal, literary idiom that sounds quite out of place in casual daily conversation. It is almost exclusively used in written contexts, news reports, or historical discussions to emphasize how insignificant or small a territory is. Using it in spoken Cantonese will make you sound like you are reciting a classical text or trying to be overly dramatic.
Examples
Their country is just a tiny nation.
How can this tiny place develop?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a direct synonym for small objects like a toy or a room, but it is strictly reserved for geographical areas or political entities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
