bat1 ho2 sing1 sou2不可勝數不可胜数
Jyutpingbat1 ho2 sing1 sou2
Yalebāt hó sīng sóu
Definition
Innumerable; too numerous to count.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that stands out in spoken Cantonese because it uses a literary structure that does not naturally fit into casual conversation. While it is perfectly understood, native speakers will almost always prefer using the phrase 多到數唔晒 or 多到數唔到 to express the same idea. Using this idiom often adds a slightly dramatic or exaggerated tone to a description.
Examples
The tourists here are too numerous to count.
The difficulties they have experienced are truly countless.
Related words
Common phrases
so many that they are uncountable
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a direct adjective before a noun, but it functions as a predicate that describes the state of being uncountable. It should follow the subject and usually requires a connector like 多到 to sound natural in a sentence.
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.
