姪女
jat6 neoi2
The Cantonese word for niece is 姪女 (jat6 neoi2).
姪女 is used to refer to a fraternal or sororal niece. To portray the niece as younger or to add a sense of youthfulness, you can use the term 小姪女.
Meaning: fraternal or sororal niece (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 姪女 is composed of the character for 'nephew/niece' (姪) and the character for 'female/daughter' (女).
Which one should you use?
While 姪女 refers specifically to a niece, the term 姪仔 (jat6 zai2) is used to refer to a nephew.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variant 侄女 is commonly used in the area of Hong Kong.
How do you pronounce it?
jat6 neoi2
Did you know?
- A Cantonese speaker might use the word 侄女 to refer to a girl who is not actually their biological niece, such as a very close family friend's daughter, to signal an intimate, family-like bond.
- In Cantonese family trees, the term for 'niece' changes entirely depending on whether she is the child of your brother or your sister. If she is your sister's daughter, you would not use 姪女 at all, but a different kinship term.
- While 姪女 is the relationship title, adults often address their nieces using the diminutive 囡囡 (jan1 jan1) instead.
Examples in context
- 姪女EmilyNiece Emily
- 我有一位姪女。ngo5 jau5 jat1 wai2 zit3 neoi5.I have a niece.
- 佢係我嘅姪女。keoi5 hai6 ngo5 ge3 zit3 neoi5.She is my niece.
- 我姪女今年五歲。ngo5 zit3 neoi5 gam1 nin4 ng5 seoi3.My niece is five years old this year.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，你個姪女而家幾歲？zi2 gin6, nei5 go3 zat3 neoi2 ji4 gaa1 gei2 seoi3?Zi Kin, how old is your niece now?
- 子健 Tsz Kin佢而家五歲，好鍾意畫畫。keoi5 ji4 gaa1 ng5 seoi3, hou2 zung1 ji3 waa2 waa2.She is five years old now and loves drawing.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung佢係咪好似你咁聰明？keoi5 hai6 mai6 hou2 ci5 nei5 gam3 cung1 ming4?Is she smart just like you?
- 子健 Tsz Kin係呀，我個姪女真係好聰明。hai6 aa3, ngo5 go3 zat3 neoi2 zan1 hai6 hou2 cung1 ming4.Yes, my niece really is very smart.
