仔
zai²
In Cantonese, the English word "son" is expressed as 仔 (zai²). Wiktionary also lists 囝仔 (zai⁴ zai²).
Meaning: a male person in relation to his parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 仔 | zai² |
| 囝仔 | zai⁴ zai² |
The term refers to a male person in relation to his parents. In Cantonese, the possessive particle 嘅 (ge3) can be used to indicate possession.
Which one should you use?
The form 仔 is the standard way to say son, while 囝仔 can mean son or boy. 囝仔 is often used to sound more traditional or endearing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
仔 is the most common way to say son in everyday colloquial Cantonese. 囝仔 is less common in standard urban Cantonese and is often associated with specific dialects or a more traditional tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
囝仔 is often used in certain dialects rather than standard urban Cantonese.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to 'one's son' in a sentence, it is natural to use the classifier 個 (go3) before 仔, resulting in 個仔.
How do you pronounce it?
zai²
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 仔 is also frequently used as a suffix to turn almost any noun into a diminutive, meaning 'a small version of' that thing. For example, a 'small bird' or 'small cat' would involve adding 仔 to the noun.
- While 仔 means 'son', if you add it to certain verbs, it can change the word into a noun describing a person's state or a specific type of person, such as a 'bad boy' or 'troublemaker'.
- In Cantonese culture, calling a man 仔 can be a way of addressing a young boy or a much younger male in a friendly or even patronizing way, depending on the tone and context.
Examples in context
- 佢個仔今年八歲。His son is eight years old.This sentence is useful for expressing the age of someone's 仔.Tatoeba #504407 by nickyeow, translation #287051 by CK
- 我個仔搭親巴士都會暈車浪。My son always gets sick when he rides a bus.This sentence is useful for describing a physical symptom experienced by someone's 仔.Tatoeba #587375 by nickyeow, translation #251376 by CK
- 我個仔而家同我一樣咁高喇。My son is now as tall as I am.This sentence is useful for comparing the height of someone's 仔 to their own.Tatoeba #1361716 by nickyeow, translation #274430 by CK
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their children at a cafe.
- 志強 Chi Keung你個仔而家讀邊間學校呀？nei5 go3 zai2 ji4 gaa1 duk6 bin1 gaan1 hok6 haau6 aa3?Which school is your son attending now?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung佢喺嗰間國際學校讀書。keoi5 hai2 go2 gaan1 gwok3 coi3 hok6 haau6 duk6 syu1.He studies at that international school.
- 志強 Chi Keung佢係咪好鍾意做運動？keoi5 hai6 mai6 hou2 zung1 ji3 zou6 wan6 dung6?Does he like doing sports a lot?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係呀，佢每日都去踢波。hai6 aa3, keoi5 mui5 jat6 dou1 heoi3 tek3 bo1.Yes, he goes to play football every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “son” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
