bat1 jiu3不要
Jyutpingbat1 jiu3
Yalebāt yiu
Definition
Do not; used to express prohibition or advice against an action.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 唔要 to express refusal or lack of desire, while 唔好 is used to tell someone not to do something. Using 不要 in speech sounds like a direct translation from Mandarin and will make you sound unnatural. Reserve 唔要 for objects or situations you are rejecting, and 唔好 for giving commands or advice against an action.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 不要 when they mean 唔好, which sounds stiff and overly formal. Remember that 唔要 is for declining things, whereas 唔好 is for stopping actions.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
