位

Classifier for People (Polite)

Level 1Sounds Like wai6

位 (wai2 / wai6*2) is the polite classifier used for people in Cantonese. While 個 (go3) is the default neutral classifier, 位 (wai2) adds courtesy and respect when referring to guests, customers, teachers, or professionals.

How It Works

What is 位 (wai2)?
位 (wai2) is the respectful classifier for people in Cantonese, standardly pronounced with high-rising tone 2 (wai2 or wai6*2) in spoken Cantonese.

Key Usage Rules:

  • Preceded by: Numbers like 兩 (loeng5) or 幾 (gei2), demonstratives like 呢 (ni1) and 嗰 (go2), or interrogatives like 邊 (bin1).
  • Followed by: Respectful titles or professional roles, such as 客人 (haak3 jan4 'guest'), 老師 (lou5 si1 'teacher'), 醫生 (ji1 sang1 'doctor'), or 先生 (sin1 saang1 'sir/gentleman').
  • Standalone Pronoun Function: 位 (wai2) frequently stands alone without a head noun when combined with demonstratives or question words (e.g., 呢位 ni1 wai2 'this gentleman/lady', 邊位 bin1 wai2 'who / which person').

Critical Restrictions & Nuances:

  • Never pair directly with 人 (jan4) or bare full names: Saying 呢位人 (ni1 wai2 jan4) or 呢位陳小明 (ni1 wai2 can4 siu2 ming4) is ungrammatical. Use a title like 呢位陳先生 (ni1 wai2 can4 sin1 saang1) or use 個 (go3) for 呢個人 / 呢個陳小明.
  • Self-reference in hospitality contexts: While you usually do not use 位 to elevate yourself in direct identity statements (e.g. 我係老師, not 我係一位老師), answering with 位 when stating your headcount at a restaurant (e.g., 兩位, 唔該 loeng5 wai2, m4 goi1 'table for two, please') is completely natural and courteous.

Examples (4)

  1. 先生，請問幾位？

    Sir, how many people are in your party?

    Word by Word: Sir, please ask how-many classifier?

    Standard polite greeting used by hosts in restaurants when welcoming guests.

  2. 呢位係我嘅老師。

    This is my teacher.

    Word by Word: This classifier is my possessive teacher.

    Using 呢位 (ni1 wai2) demonstrates respect when introducing someone.

  3. 今晚有三位客人嚟食飯。

    Three guests are coming over for dinner tonight.

    Word by Word: Tonight have three classifier guest come eat rice.

    位 (wai2) is paired with the respectful noun 客人 (haak3 jan4, 'guest').

  4. 請問邊位搵我？

    May I ask who is looking for me?

    Word by Word: Please-ask which classifier find me?

    邊位 (bin1 wai2) is the courteous way to ask 'who' or 'which person'.

Common Mistakes

  • Combining 位 (wai2) directly with plain nouns like 人 (jan4) or bare personal names.

    呢位人好熱心。
    呢位先生好熱心。

    位 (wai2) cannot modify plain 人 (jan4) or bare full names like 陳小明. Pair it with a title like 先生 (sin1 saang1) or use 個 (go3) instead (呢個人).

  • Answering 幾位 with 我哋有三個人 instead of the number plus 位.

    Different Meaning請問幾位？ — 我哋有三個人。
    請問幾位？ — 三位，唔該。

    我哋有三個人 is a natural sentence, but in a restaurant the usual polite reply is just the number plus 位, such as 三位，唔該. 位 (wai2) is the polite classifier for guests.

  • Including 一位 (jat1 wai2) when stating your own profession.

    我係一位醫生。
    我係醫生。

    In Cantonese, stating identity or profession normally drops the numeral and classifier entirely instead of translating 'a/an' literally.

How It Connects

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位Level 1Classifier for People (Polite)

Learn This First

To use the polite classifier 位, you first need to understand how classifiers function in Cantonese syntax, specifically how they sit between numbers and nouns. It is also helpful to be familiar with the general classifier for people, 個, to understand when and why to use the more formal 位 instead.

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