貴

Your (Honorific Prefix)

Level 5Sounds Like gwai3

貴 (gwai3) is a formal prefix meaning 'your [esteemed/honorable]'. It is used in professional and business contexts to show high respect for the listener's company, school, or surname.

How It Works

In Cantonese, 貴 (gwai3) serves as a cornerstone of formal etiquette (敬語 ging3 jyu5). While the character literally means 'expensive', as a prefix it functions as a respectful possessive marker.

Key Usage Rules:

  • Direct Attachment: It is placed immediately before the noun (e.g., 貴公司 gwai3 gung1 si1 - 'your company'). Do not use 嘅 (ge3) between them.
  • Institutional and Group Focus: It is most commonly used for institutions like companies (公司 gung1 si1), schools (校 haau6), or countries (國 gwok3). In formal correspondence, it is also used for families or individuals, such as 貴府 (gwai3 fu2 - 'your home/family'), 貴子女 (gwai3 zi2 neoi5 - 'your children'), 貴家長 (gwai3 gaa1 zoeng2 - 'you parents'), or 貴客 (gwai3 haak3 - 'you guests').
  • Personal Identity: It is the standard way to ask a surname politely: 貴姓 (gwai3 sing3). Culturally, the person responding should use the humble phrase 免貴姓... (min5 gwai3 sing3...) to politely 'waive' the honorific before stating their name.
  • Register: This is a formal/written register term. It is essential for business emails, formal introductions, and diplomatic speech, but sounds overly stiff or even sarcastic in casual settings with friends.

The 'Humble' Counterpart:
When referring to your own company or school in the same formal context, you should use 敝 (bai6), which means 'my humble...', or the neutral 本 (bun2) meaning 'this/our'.

Examples (5)

  1. 請問先生貴姓？

    May I ask your [honorable] surname, sir?

    Word by Word: Please ask mister honorable surname?

    This is the standard polite way to ask someone's name in a professional setting using 貴姓 (gwai3 sing3). The standard humble response is '免貴姓... (min5 gwai3 sing3...)' meaning 'My surname is... (dispense with the honorific)'.

  2. 我哋好榮幸可以同貴公司合作。

    We are very honored to be able to cooperate with your [esteemed] company.

    Word by Word: We very honor can with honorable company cooperate.

    In business, 貴公司 (gwai3 gung1 si1) is used to show respect to the partner organization.

  3. 唔知貴校幾時放暑假呢？

    I wonder when your [honorable] school starts summer vacation?

    Word by Word: Not know honorable school when release summer holiday [particle]?

    貴校 (gwai3 haau6) is used when addressing a school or university in a formal inquiry.

  4. 老先生，請問你今年貴庚呀？

    Sir, may I ask how old you are this year?

    Word by Word: Old gentleman, please ask you this year honorable age [particle]?

    貴庚 (gwai3 gang1) is a specific honorific term used to ask the age of an elderly person or someone of high status.

  5. 歡迎貴客光臨。

    Welcome, [honorable] guests.

    Word by Word: Welcome honorable guest arrive.

    貴客 (gwai3 haak3) is a formal way to address customers or guests in a service or hospitality context.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 貴 (gwai3) to refer to your own company.

    我喺貴公司做咗十年。
    我喺本公司做咗十年。

    Using 貴 (gwai3) for yourself is a social faux pas as it sounds like you are calling yourself 'honorable'. Use 本 (bun2) or 敝 (bai6) for your own side.

  • Adding the possessive particle 嘅 (ge3) after 貴 (gwai3).

    貴嘅公司
    貴公司

    Adding 嘅 (ge3) changes the meaning from an honorific prefix to a literal adjective, making it mean 'an expensive company' rather than 'your esteemed company'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

貴Level 5Your (Honorific Prefix)

Learn This First

The honorific prefix 貴 is used to show respect to the addressee's side (e.g., their company or surname). It requires an understanding of formal register and polite address in Cantonese.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

贵贵