zi6 zai3自製自制
Jyutpingzi6 zai3
Yalejih jai
Definition
Homemade; made by oneself.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the act of personal creation rather than just the origin of an item. It is frequently used to highlight that something is not store-bought, often implying a higher level of care or a healthier alternative. While it can function as an adjective, it is equally common as a verb phrase meaning to craft or prepare something manually.
Examples
This cake is homemade by me.
Do you usually make your own lunch to eat at work?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for professional manufacturing or industrial production. It specifically implies a personal or small scale effort, so using it for mass-produced goods sounds unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
