隻

Classifier for Animals and One of a Pair

Level 1Sounds Like zek3

隻 (zek3) is one of the most frequently used classifiers in Cantonese. While it is primarily used for most animals and one item of a pair, spoken Cantonese also uses it for tableware, watches, boats, and songs.

How It Works

In Cantonese, the classifier 隻 (zek3) has a much broader scope than in Mandarin.

Primary Usages:

  • Animals & Creatures: Used for almost all animals, insects, and mythical creatures, e.g., 貓 (maau1, cat), 狗 (gau2, dog), 雀仔 (zoek3 zai2, bird). Exception: Long or slender animals use 條 (tiu4).
  • One of a Pair: Used for single paired body parts or accessories, e.g., 隻手 (zek3 sau2, the/a hand), 隻鞋 (zek3 haai4, the/a shoe).
  • Tableware & Utensils: Drinkware and small eating items use 隻, e.g., 杯 (bui1, cup), 碟 (dip6, plate), 匙羹 (ci4 gang1, spoon).
  • Personal Accessories & Watercraft: Items like 錶 (biu1, watch), 戒指 (gaai3 zi2, ring), and 艇 (teng5, boat/sampan).
  • Songs: In spoken Cantonese, tracks and songs use 隻, e.g., 一隻歌 (jat1 zek3 go1, a song).

Grammar Note:
Using a bare classifier structure (隻 + Noun) creates a definite phrase meaning 'the [noun]', such as 隻狗 (zek3 gau2, the dog).

Examples (5)

  1. 隻貓喺度瞓覺。

    The cat is sleeping here.

    Word by Word: [Classifier] cat at here sleep.

    Using the bare classifier 隻 (zek3) before 貓 (maau1) specifies a definite entity ('the cat').

  2. 我哋有兩隻狗。

    We have two dogs.

    Word by Word: We have two [classifier] dog.

    When counting two items, Cantonese uses 兩 (loeng5) combined with the classifier 隻 (zek3).

  3. 我隻腳受咗傷。

    My leg/foot is injured.

    Word by Word: I [classifier] leg suffer [aspect] injury.

    Single body parts that naturally come in pairs, such as 腳 (goek3, leg/foot), take the classifier 隻 (zek3).

  4. 呢隻杯好靚。

    This cup is very pretty.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] cup very pretty.

    In Cantonese, drinkware like 杯 (bui1) usually takes 隻 (zek3) rather than the general classifier 個 (go3), though 個 is also heard.

  5. 唱隻歌俾我哋聽啦！

    Sing a song for us to listen to!

    Word by Word: Sing [classifier] song for us listen [particle]!

    In everyday spoken Cantonese, songs (歌 go1) take 隻 (zek3) as their standard classifier.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 隻 (zek3) for long, slender animals instead of 條 (tiu4).

    Different Meaning我買咗一隻魚。
    我買咗一條魚。

    Fish are usually counted with 條 (tiu4), as are snakes (蛇 se4) and dragons (龍 lung4). 隻 (zek3) is also heard for small or pet fish, but 條 is the standard choice.

  • Using 個 (go3) for a cup, where 隻 (zek3) is also very common.

    Different Meaning呢個杯係我嘅。
    呢隻杯係我嘅。

    呢個杯係我嘅 is natural. 呢隻杯, with 隻 (zek3), is also very common for cups.

How It Connects

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

隻Level 1Classifier for Animals and One of a Pair

Learn This First

To use the classifier '隻' correctly, you first need to understand the general concept of classifiers in Cantonese and the standard word order for counting objects (Number + Classifier + Noun). Familiarity with the general classifier '個' is also helpful to understand when a more specific classifier is required.

Words in This Pattern