zi1祗

Jyutpingzi1

Yalejī

Definition

Respectful, or to look up to.

writtenpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This character is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to denote a sense of reverence or looking up to someone. In everyday spoken Cantonese, it is almost entirely replaced by the more common 尊重 or 敬重. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation, as it carries a distinctively old fashioned or written tone.

Examples

keoi5佢deoi3對zoeng2長bui3輩hou2好zi1祗ging3敬。

He is very respectful towards his elders.

nei5你zou6做jan4人jiu3要hok6學sik1識zi1祗ging3敬zoeng2長bui3輩aa4呀。

You need to learn how to respect your elders.

Common phrases

zi1祗ging3敬

respectful

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 只, which is the extremely common character for 'only'. They are pronounced differently and have completely unrelated meanings, so ensure you do not use them interchangeably in writing.