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March 24, 2026
嘅kǎi(kai3)
The character 嘅 (kǎi) is primarily a possessive particle used in Cantonese, similar in function to 的 (de) in Mandarin. It indicates possession and is commonly found in colloquial speech. In addition, it can express the sound of a sigh, conveying a range of emotions from resignation to frustration.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 嘅 is a fundamental part of everyday language and reflects the unique linguistic identity of Cantonese speakers. It showcases how regional dialects can differ significantly from Standard Mandarin.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sighing in exasperation as they say 'kǎi,' which sounds like 'Kai' who always borrows your things and never returns them. The character 嘅 has a mouth (口) indicating sound, and the 'ghost' radical (鬼) hints at the emotional weight of sighing.
Meanings of 嘅
kǎi(kai3)
primary
1the sound of a sigh
2possessive particle (Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 嘅
嘅Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嘅
Podcast: 嘅
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AI Study Notes for 嘅
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sighing in exasperation as they say 'kǎi,' which sounds like 'Kai' who always borrows your things and never returns them. The character 嘅 has a mouth (口) indicating sound, and the 'ghost' radical (鬼) hints at the emotional weight of sighing.
Usage Notes
嘅 is predominantly used in Cantonese and is informal; it may not be understood in Mandarin contexts. A common mistake is using 嘅 in a Mandarin sentence where 的 (de) should be used instead. Be cautious with pronunciation as it can easily be confused with other particles.
HSK Study Tips
嘅 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance your grasp of Cantonese. Focus on its use in casual conversations and how it differs from the Mandarin 的 (de) to improve your bilingual skills.
Cultural Note
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 嘅 is a fundamental part of everyday language and reflects the unique linguistic identity of Cantonese speakers. It showcases how regional dialects can differ significantly from Standard Mandarin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 嘅 in Mandarin contexts where 的 (de) should be used, such as saying '我嘅书' instead of '我的书' (my book). Another common error is mispronouncing the tone, which can change the meaning entirely.
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Pronunciation of 嘅
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Cultural Notes for 嘅
🏮Cultural insight
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 嘅 is a fundamental part of everyday language and reflects the unique linguistic identity of Cantonese speakers. It showcases how regional dialects can differ significantly from Standard Mandarin.
Word Family of 嘅
Words Containing This Character1
嘅kǎiMandarin equivalent: 的[de]
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 嘅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘅
You can use 嘅 to indicate possession, similar to saying 'my' in English, such as in '我嘅书' (my book).
No, 嘅 is specifically a Cantonese particle; in Mandarin, the equivalent is 的 (de).
嘅 is pronounced with a falling tone (kǎi), so be sure to practice the tone to be understood correctly.
