zyu2 jiu3主要
Jyutpingzyu2 jiu3
Yalejyú yiu
Definition
Mainly; primarily; indicating the most important item among many.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Functions as an adverb to highlight the primary focus or cause of a situation. It is frequently used in professional or analytical contexts to explain the core purpose of an action or the most significant factor in a result. Unlike Mandarin, where it can sometimes feel slightly formal, it is seamlessly integrated into everyday Cantonese speech.
Examples
They mainly sell clothes here.
What are you mainly doing today?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'important' as an adjective. While it contains the character 要, it functions as an adverb meaning 'mainly' or 'primarily', not as a synonym for 重要.
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.
