zi2 neoi5子女
Jyutpingzi2 neoi5
Yalejí néuih
Definition
Sons and daughters; children.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
子女 carries a more formal or collective tone compared to the everyday term 仔女. It is frequently used in official documents, news reports, or when parents discuss their children in a serious or reflective manner. Using it in casual conversation can sound slightly detached or overly polite.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
It is very hard for that couple to raise three children.
Where are your children studying now?
Related words
Common phrases
to educate or raise children
to bring up children
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 子女 when referring to someone else's children in a casual setting, which can sound stiff. Stick to 仔女 for daily speech to maintain a natural, friendly tone.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
