zi1 gei2知己
Jyutpingzi1 gei2
Yalejī géi
Definition
An intimate, bosom friend who understands one deeply.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Implies a deep, intellectual, and emotional connection that goes beyond just hanging out. It suggests someone who truly understands your inner thoughts and values, often used in more serious or sentimental contexts rather than casual social settings.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is the best confidante I have had in my life.
Related words
Common phrases
close female friend of a man
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 普通朋友, which refers to casual acquaintances. Using 知己 for someone you just met or only see occasionally sounds overly dramatic or insincere.
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.
