Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar/Particles

Yue Chinese → Grammar → Particles

Particles are an essential element of Yue Chinese as they add meanings to words and phrases. They are small words that can change the tone or add emphasis to a sentence. In this lesson, we will learn about the particles used in Yue Chinese and understand their functions.

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Sentence Pattern Changes & Plurals.

Emphasis Particles

Emphasis particles in Yue Chinese are used to express different emotions, such as surprise, doubt, affirmation, and more. Here are some examples of emphasis particles:

Yue Chinese	Jyutping	English
噉 (gam2)	gam2	then, in that case
啫 (ze1)	ze1	affirmative, indeed
喎 (wo3)	wo3	particles indicating a change in tone or attitude

For example:

• 你咁鍾意讀書 *噉* ，點解唔留返學做老師呢？ (nei5 gam3 zung1 ji3 duk6 syu1 *gam2*, dim2 gai2 m4 lau4 faan1 hok6 zok3 lou5 si1 ne1?)

Translation: Since you like studying so much, why don't you consider becoming a teacher?

In the above sentence, the emphasis particle "噉" adds a sense of doubt or surprise to the phrase "你咁鍾意讀書" (since you like studying so much).

Suggestion Particles

Suggestion particles in Yue Chinese are used to make suggestions, give advice or opinions, or show politeness. Here are some examples of suggestion particles:

Yue Chinese	Jyutping	English
吓 (haa2)	haa2	how about..., why don't you...?
啦 (laa1)	laa1	particle indicating a softening of tone or mood, often used to make suggestions or give advice
呀 (aa3)	aa3	particle indicating a suggestion or a softening of attitude

For example:

• 攞啲嘢飲下啦。 (lo2 di1 je5 yam2 haa6 haa1 laa1)

Translation: Have some drink.

In the above sentence, the suggestion particle "啦" makes the sentence sound more casual and friendly.

Modal Particles

Modal particles in Yue Chinese are used to express different emotions, such as affirmation, doubt, suggestion, and more. Here are some examples of modal particles:

Yue Chinese	Jyutping	English
呢 (ni1)	ni1	different meanings depending on the context, often used to indicate a continuation or agreement
喎 (wo3)	wo3	particle indicating a change in tone or attitude
啊 (aa3)	aa3	particle indicating an exclamation or surprise

For example:

• 呢到好靚，又乾淨。(ni1 dou3 hou2 zing6, jau6 gon1 zing6)

Translation: This place is very beautiful and clean.

In the above sentence, the modal particle “呢” is used to emphasize the adjective “靚” (beautiful).

Grammatical Particles

Grammatical particles in Yue Chinese are used to show the relationship between different elements of a sentence or to indicate tense, aspect, or mood. Here are some examples of grammatical particles:

Yue Chinese	Jyutping	English
嘅 (ge3)	ge3	particle indicating possession or relationship
嘞 (lak1)	lak1	particle indicating a change in state or an action in progress
咗 (zo2)	zo2	particle indicating the completion or continuation of an action

For example:

• 佢嘅書呢？ (keoi5 ge3 syu1 ni1?)

Translation: Where is his book?

In the above sentence, the grammatical particle "嘅" is used to show the possession of the noun "書" (book).

Conclusion

Particles are an essential element of Yue Chinese grammar. They add structure to sentences and provide nuances to the language. In this lesson, we have learned about different particles and how they express emotions, suggestions, grammatical relationships, and more. By incorporating these particles into your speech, you can make your Yue Chinese sound more natural and fluent.

Sources

• Yue-chinese Grammar - Negation

• Cantonese grammar

With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: Location and Direction & Past Tense.

Other Lessons

• Sentence Pattern Changes
• Nouns
• How to Use Be
• Conditional Mood
• Verbs Action and Stative
• Adverbs
• Comprehensive Review
• Conjunctions
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives