bat1 lau1不嬲
Jyutpingbat1 lau1
Yalebāt lāu
Definition
Always; all along; for a long time.
colloquialtimedescriptions
How it's used
Conveys a sense of consistency or an established state of affairs that has persisted over a long period. It is frequently paired with the particle 都 to emphasize that the situation has remained unchanged despite expectations to the contrary. While it functions similarly to 一向, it carries a more informal and conversational tone suitable for casual storytelling or expressing personal opinions.
Examples
He has always liked eating at this restaurant.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal writing or professional reports, as it is strictly a colloquial term. Learners often mistakenly use it to mean 'currently' or 'recently', but it specifically refers to a state that has existed for a long time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
