zoi2崽
Jyutpingzoi2
Yalejói
Definition
Child, servant, or used as a derogatory term for a person.
- child; kid; young animal
- datedservant; young helper
- vulgarguy; fellow
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
Refers primarily to a son or a young male, but often carries an affectionate or derogatory nuance depending on the context. When used as a suffix, it can turn a noun into a term for a person, such as 鬼崽 for a foreigner or 爛仔 for a hoodlum. It is rarely used in formal writing and is strictly a spoken term for informal address.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to a daughter, as it specifically implies a male child. Using it for a female can sound confusing or intentionally rude.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
