Grammar 文法 Man4 faat3̌
二. Pronunciation 拼音 Ping1 yam1
Cantonese Finals 1 (aai – ai)
 
II. Contrastive pairs
No.
Example
English
Example
English
1
最佳 zeoi3 gaai1
Best
醉雞 zeoi3 gai1
Liquor-saturated chicken
2
買酒 maai5 zau2
Buy wine
(咪走) mai5 zau2
Don’t go
3
(馬太) maa5 taai2
Mrs. Ma
馬蹄 maa5 tai2
Water chestnut
4
怪人 gwaai3 jan4
Strange man
貴人 gwai3 jan4
Noble man
5
泰山 taai3 saan1
Tarzan
替身 tai3 san1
Stunt double

Pronunciation hints:

1. Cantonese “aa” in “-aai” is a long vowel. Its sound is similar to “a” as in English father. However, “a” in “-ai” is a short vowel which resembles “u” as in English sun.
2. To differentiate “-aai” from “-ai”, “-aai” should be pronounced with your jaw more lowered and mouth more open than “-ai” .