屋企
uk¹ kei²
The English word 'home' is translated into Cantonese as 屋企 (uk¹ kei²). Wiktionary also lists 家 (gaa¹).
Meaning: house or structure in which someone lives (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 屋企 | uk¹ kei² |
| 家 | gaa¹ |
The term refers to the house or structure in which someone lives. You can use the phrase 返屋企 to express the action of going or returning home. To express the feeling of being 'at home', you can say 感覺好似係屋企咁. If you wish to specify 'one's own home', add 自己 before the term, resulting in 自己屋企.
Which one should you use?
屋企 is the common, colloquial way to say 'home' in daily conversation. In contrast, 家 is a more formal or literary term that can mean both 'home' and 'family' and it is frequently used in formal compounds or written Chinese.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that someone is 'at home', use the preposition 喺 (at) before the word, forming the phrase 喺屋企.
How do you pronounce it?
uk¹ kei²
Did you know?
- The character 家 used in the formal version of 'home' originally depicted a pig under a roof in its ancient form, symbolizing a settled household.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, the 'home' is not just a residence but the center of ancestral worship. Many homes feature a specific altar area that transforms the 屋企 into a spiritual bridge to previous generations.
- The colloquial term 屋企 literally translates to 'house family', combining the word for 'house' with the word for 'family' or 'household'.
Examples in context
- 留喺屋企好悶。Staying at home is boring.This sentence is useful for expressing that staying at home is boring using 屋企.Tatoeba #1401718 by nickyeow, translation #1046417 by CK
- 我屋企冇電腦。I don't have a computer at home.This sentence shows how to say one does not have a computer at home using 屋企.Tatoeba #5221239 by kaenif, translation #708138 by Nevado
- 我哋返緊屋企。We're on our way home.This sentence demonstrates how to say one is on the way home using 屋企.Tatoeba #5360857 by nickyeow, translation #22283 by CK
- 每個人都有居所嘅需求。Everyone has a need for a home.
- 今晚食飯後，我返屋企。After dinner tonight, I'll go back home.
- 你屋企點樣咁靚啊？How come your home looks so beautiful?
- 我喺自己屋企最舒服。I feel most comfortable in my own home.
- 139 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你今晚會唔會返屋企？nei5 gam1 maan5 wui5 m4 wui5 faan1 uk1 kei2?Are you going home tonight?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan會呀，我想喺屋企休息。wui5 aa3, ngo5 soeng2 hai2 uk1 kei2 jau1 sik1.Yes, I want to rest at home.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁我哋下次再約啦。gam2 ngo5 dei6 ze3 ci3 zoi3 joek3 laa1.Then let's meet up next time.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好呀，再見。hou2 aa3, zoi3 gin3.Okay, see you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “home” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
