zi2 jam1子音
Jyutpingzi2 jam1
Yalejí yām
Definition
Consonant; another term for 輔音 (fu6 jam1).
neutralcommunication
How it's used
While 輔音 is the standard linguistic term used in textbooks and formal education, 子音 is frequently used in casual contexts or by those who prefer a more direct translation of the English term. Both terms are interchangeable in conversation, though 輔音 remains the preferred choice in academic or professional linguistic discussions.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
How is the consonant of this word pronounced?
The hardest part of learning a foreign language is mastering their consonants.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 子音 with 母音, which refers to vowels. Ensure you distinguish between these two fundamental phonetic categories to avoid confusion when discussing pronunciation.
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.
