遺囑
wai4 zuk1
In Cantonese, 'will' can be expressed through several forms depending on the context. The default form is 遺囑 (wai4 zuk1).
Meaning: indicating future action (verb)
Which one should you use?
While the default form 遺囑 refers to a legal document, the verb 'will' is expressed using different words: 會 is used for general future actions, 將會 is used to emphasize the exactness or certainty of an action and 必 is used to mean 'will definitely'.
How do you pronounce it?
wai4 zuk1
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, if you use the term 遺囑 to talk about your future plans, you might accidentally sound like you are preparing for your own death.
- The legal term for a 'will' 遺囑 consists of two characters meaning 'left-behind' and 'instruction'. It describes the document as a final command rather than just a distribution of assets.
- In formal written Chinese, which Cantonese speakers also read, the word for 'will' is often stripped of the Cantonese-specific particles used in daily speech.
Examples in context
- 我明天會去 (ngo ming tin wui heoi)I will go tomorrow.
- 明日我會幫你 (ming yat ngo wui bong nei)I will help you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing legal documents in a living room.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你有冇準備遺囑？nei5 jau5 mou5 zeon2 bei6 wai4 zuk1Have you prepared a will?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我仲未諗好點寫。ngo5 zung6 mei6 nam2 hou2 dim2 se2I haven't decided how to write it yet.
- 子健 Tsz Kin遺囑對家人好重要。wai4 zuk1 dui3 gaa1 jan4 hou2 zung6 jiu3A will is very important for the family.
- 美玲 Mei Ling我知道，我會處理。ngo5 zi1 dou6, ngo5 wui5 cyu2 lei5I know, I will handle it.
