皆

All (Classical)

Level 6Sounds Like gaai1

皆 (gaai1) is the high-register, formal equivalent of the colloquial 都 (dou1). It means 'all', 'both', or 'without exception' and is primarily found in written documents, idioms, and formal speeches.

How It Works

皆 (gaai1) is a remnant of Classical Chinese that remains active in modern written Cantonese and formal spoken contexts.

1. Placement and Usage
皆 (gaai1) normally follows a plural or collective subject (the compound 皆因 below is a common exception). It cannot be used to mean 'even' (which is a common function of 都 (dou1)). It is frequently used in four-character idioms (Chengyu) or to provide a sense of authority and permanence.

2. Register Matching
When using 皆 (gaai1), you must ensure the rest of the sentence matches its formal register. For example:

  • Colloquial: 我哋都係朋友 (ngo5 dei6 dou1 hai6 pang4 jau5) - 'We are all friends.'
  • Formal: 我等皆是朋友 (ngo5 dang2 gaai1 si6 pang4 jau5) - 'We are all friends.'

Note how 係 (hai6) changes to the formal 是 (si6) to match the tone of 皆 (gaai1).

3. Common Compounds
The most common way you might hear this in semi-formal speech is in the compound 皆因 (gaai1 jan1), which means 'all because' or 'simply because', acting as a more emphatic version of 因為 (jan1 wai6).

Examples (5)

  1. 人人皆知。

    Everyone knows (it is known to all).

    Word by Word: Person person all know.

    A common four-character idiom where 皆 (gaai1) universalizes the subject 'everyone'.

  2. 兩者皆可。

    Both are acceptable.

    Word by Word: Two things all can.

    Used in formal settings. Note the use of 可 (ho2) instead of the colloquial 得 (dak1) to maintain the formal register.

  3. 萬物皆有靈。

    All things have a spirit.

    Word by Word: Ten-thousand things all have spirit.

    A philosophical statement using 皆 (gaai1) to refer to an abstract collective subject.

  4. 草木皆兵。

    To be so nervous that every bush and tree looks like an enemy soldier.

    Word by Word: Grass tree all soldier.

    An idiom demonstrating that 皆 (gaai1) can refer to objects, not just people.

  5. 皆因佢太懶。

    It's all because he is too lazy.

    Word by Word: All because he too lazy.

    An example of the compound 皆因 (gaai1 jan1) used in a semi-formal context.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing formal '皆' with colloquial negators like '唔'.

    我哋皆唔同意。
    我等皆不同意。

    皆 (gaai1) is formal and should be paired with the formal negator 不 (bat1). In casual speech, just use 都 (dou1) and 唔 (m4).

  • Using '皆' to mean 'even'.

    連我都皆唔知。
    連我都唔知。

    皆 (gaai1) only means 'all' or 'both'. It cannot replace 都 (dou1) in the 連...都... (lin4... dou1...) 'even' construction.

How It Connects

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皆Level 6All (Classical)

Learn This First

皆 (gaai1) is a formal and classical marker meaning 'all' or 'everyone'. It functions similarly to the colloquial '都' (dou1) but is used in literary contexts, idioms, or formal announcements. To understand its usage, learners should already be familiar with how 'all' is expressed in standard Cantonese and be aware of the differences between spoken and formal written registers.

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皆