zi1 si2知士
Jyutpingzi1 si2
Yalejī sí
Definition
Cheese.
colloquialfood
How it's used
This term is a phonetic loanword from English that is primarily used in older generations or specific local contexts. Younger speakers almost exclusively use the term 芝士 instead. Using 知士 might sound slightly dated or like a deliberate play on the characters.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
Do you like eating cheesecake?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners should be aware that 芝士 is the standard and far more common way to write cheese in Hong Kong. Using 知士 may cause confusion as it is not the conventional spelling.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
