zi2 zi2姊姊
Jyutpingzi2 zi2
Yalejí jí
Definition
Elder sister
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
While 姊姊 is technically correct, it is rarely used in daily spoken Cantonese. Most people prefer the term 家姐 when referring to their own sister or someone else's. Using 姊姊 can sound slightly more formal, literary, or like a direct translation from Mandarin.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Did your elder sister go to work today?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 姊姊 because it appears in textbooks, but it will sound unnatural in casual conversation. Stick to 家姐 for everyday speech to sound more like a local.
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.
