姐夫
ze2 fu1
In Cantonese, the phrase for brother-in-law (specifically the husband of one's older sister) is 姐夫 (ze2 fu1).
The term 姐夫 is used to refer specifically to the husband of your older sister.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 姐 (ze2), meaning older sister and 夫 (fu1), meaning husband.
Which one should you use?
While 姐夫 refers specifically to the husband of an older sister, 妹夫 (mui6 fu1) is used for the husband of a younger sister.
How do you pronounce it?
ze2 fu1
Did you know?
- If a man has a brother-in-law who is the brother of his wife, he would not use 姐夫 but instead use 襟兄 (gam1 hing1) or 襟弟 (gam1 dai6).
- The character 夫 (fu1) in 姐夫 originally depicted a man with a large cloth cap, symbolizing a grown man or a husband.
- The term 姐 (ze2) is used in Cantonese to describe not just an older sister, but also any woman slightly older than the speaker in a friendly or familial context.
Examples in context
- 我姐夫今日好忙。ngo5 ze1 fu1 gam1 jat6 hou2 mong4.My brother-in-law is very busy today.
- 你姐夫係咪工程師？nei5 ze1 fu1 hai6 mai6 gong1 cing4 si1?Is your brother-in-law an engineer?
- 我同姐夫好熟。ngo5 tung4 ze1 fu1 hou2 suk6.I am very familiar with my brother-in-law.
Example conversation
Zi Jian and Ya Ting are talking about family gatherings.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你姐夫會唔會嚟 party？nei5 ze2 fu1 wui5 m4 wui5 lai4 party?Will your brother-in-law come to the party?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting佢應該會嚟。keoi5 jing1 goi1 wui5 lai4.He should be coming.
- 子健 Tsz Kin佢係咪好似你咁叻？keoi5 hai6 mai6 hou2 ci5 nei5 gam3 lek1?Is he as smart as you are?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我姐夫係好叻嘅。ngo5 ze2 fu1 hai6 hou2 lek1 ge3.My brother-in-law is very smart.
