ziu3 gu3 zi6 gei2照顧自己照顾自己
Jyutpingziu3 gu3 zi6 gei2
Yalejiu gu jih géi
Definition
To take care of oneself; to look after oneself [written and colloquial]
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Often used as a parting phrase or a piece of advice when someone is going through a transition, such as moving out or traveling alone. It carries a warm, caring tone that implies the speaker is genuinely concerned about the listener's well-being. While it functions as a verb phrase, it is frequently paired with modal particles like 呀 or 㗎 to soften the tone and make it sound more natural in conversation.
Examples
nei5 jat1 go3 jan4 hai2 ngoi6 gwok3 gei3 dak1 jiu3 ziu3 gu3 zi6 gei2 aa4
你一個人喺外國，記得要照顧自己呀。
You are alone abroad, remember to take care of yourself.
keoi5 daai6 go3 zai2 laa3 sik1 dak1 ziu3 gu3 zi6 gei2 gaa2 laa1
佢大個仔喇，識得照顧自己㗎喇。
He is grown up now, he knows how to take care of himself.
Related words
Common phrases
hou2 hou2 ziu3 gu3 zi6 gei2
好好照顧自己
take good care of yourself
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 睇住自己, which is more commonly used in the sense of being careful or watching out for oneself in a specific dangerous situation, rather than the general act of self-care.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- 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.
