zi2 zat6子侄
Jyutpingzi2 zat6
Yalejí jaht
Definition
Sons and nephews; the younger generation of a family or extended family.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers collectively to the younger generation within a clan or extended family, functioning as a formal yet warm way to describe one's juniors. It carries a sense of responsibility and mentorship, often used by elders when discussing their role in guiding or supporting younger family members. While it sounds slightly more traditional or literary than everyday speech, it is still frequently heard in family-oriented contexts.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to mentor and support the younger generation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 姪仔, which specifically refers to a brother's son. 子侄 is a collective term for the younger generation of the family as a whole, rather than a specific individual relationship.
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.
