zi2姊
Jyutpingzi2
Yalejí
Definition
Elder sister.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
While 姊 is a standard term for elder sister, it is rarely used alone in daily conversation. Most Cantonese speakers prefer using 家姐 to refer to their own elder sister or someone else's. Using 姊 often sounds slightly more formal, literary, or is used in specific compound words.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Did your elder sister go to work today?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 姊 with 姐. While they are related, 姐 is the character used in the common colloquial term 家姐, whereas 姊 is more frequently encountered in written contexts or formal address.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
