被
pei⁵
The Cantonese word for "blanket" is 被 (pei⁵).
被 refers to a blanket or a quilt used for covering oneself while sleeping.
Meaning: fabric (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangdong Province, the term 毛毯 is also commonly used for blanket.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting blankets, use the classifier 條 (tiu1), as in 一條被 (a blanket).
How do you pronounce it?
pei⁵
Did you know?
- The character 被 functions as a passive voice marker in Cantonese and Mandarin, similar to 'by' or 'was' in English. For example, if you are 'bitten by a dog', the word 被 appears in the sentence despite having nothing to do with bedding.
- The classifier 條 (tiu1) used for blankets is the same one used for long, thin objects like 'strips of cloth' or 'fish', highlighting the physical shape of the object.
- The term 毛毯 (mou4 taam2) literally translates to 'wool carpet', reflecting a linguistic connection between heavy textiles used for floors and those used for warmth.
Examples in context
- 奶奶，我想要一條毯。Grandma, I want a blanket.
- 呢條被好厚。ni1 tiu4 bei6 hou2 hau5.This blanket is very thick.
- 我想換條新被。ngo5 soeng2 wun4 tiu4 san1 bei6.I want to change to a new blanket.
- 佢喺梳化上面鋪咗條被。keoi5 hai2 so1 faa3 soeng6 min6 piu1 zo2 tiu4 bei6.He spread a blanket on the sofa.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are preparing the bedroom for sleep.
- 子健 Tsz Kin曉彤，你有冇見到我條被？hiu2 tung4, nei5 jau5 mou5 gin3 dou2 ngo5 tiu4 bei6?Hiu Tung, have you seen my blanket?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung喺床上面呀，子健。hai2 cong4 soeng6 min6 aa3, zi2 gin6.It's on the bed, Zi Kin.
- 子健 Tsz Kin多謝你。do1 ze6 nei5.Thank you.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔使客氣。m4 sai2 haak3 hei3.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blanket” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
