zi2 cek3咫尺
Jyutpingzi2 cek3
Yalejí chek
Definition
A very close distance; a stone's throw away.
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How it's used
Literary in origin, this term is almost exclusively used within the fixed idiom 近在咫尺. It carries a slightly more dramatic or descriptive tone than simply saying 好近. It is often used to express frustration when something is physically nearby but remains elusive or unreachable.
Examples
The shop is just a stone's throw away, you'll reach it in two steps.
Even though the destination is right here, why can't I find it no matter how hard I look?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this as a standalone noun to describe distance in casual conversation, as it sounds overly formal or poetic. It is not a substitute for everyday words like 近 or 隔籬.
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.
