bat1 gau2不久
Jyutpingbat1 gau2
Yalebāt gáu
Definition
Soon; before long; in the near future.
writtentime
How it's used
While standard in written Chinese, this term sounds quite formal or literary in spoken Cantonese. Most locals prefer using phrases like 冇幾耐 or 好快 when speaking casually. Using it in daily conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a news report or a formal document.
Examples
What do you think will happen in the near future?
Related words
Common phrases
in the near future
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a standalone adverb, but it sounds unnatural in casual speech. It is almost exclusively used in formal contexts or specific set phrases like 不久嘅將來.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
