am2唵
Jyutpingam2
Yaleám
Definition
An interjection expressing oh or so; also used in Buddhist transliterations as om.
- oh; so (expressing interrogation)
- technicalom (used in Buddhist transliterations)
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Used primarily as an interjection to signal a sudden realization or the processing of new information. It functions similarly to "oh" or "ah" in English, often appearing at the start of a sentence to bridge the gap between hearing a fact and reacting to it. While it shares space with 噢, 唵 is specifically common in spoken Cantonese to convey a slightly more thoughtful or "aha" moment.
Examples
Oh, so that's how it is?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Buddhist mantra "Om" which is also written as 唵. In daily speech, the interjection is purely a sound of realization and lacks any religious connotation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- How oftenUsually, sometimes, all the time, rarely, never. All five sit in one slot, between the subject and the verb.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
