bat1 duk6不獨不独
Jyutpingbat1 duk6
Yalebāt duhk
Definition
Not only; not just a single person or thing.
writtencommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Literary in origin, this conjunction is frequently used in formal writing or slightly elevated speech to add emphasis. While it functions similarly to 唔單止, it carries a more sophisticated tone that suggests a logical progression or an additional layer of information. It is rarely used in casual, rapid-fire conversation where simpler alternatives are preferred.
Examples
He is not only very smart, but also very polite.
This shop not only has delicious food, but the service is also top-notch.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard spoken term and use it in overly casual contexts where it sounds unnatural. It is not a direct replacement for 唔單止 in everyday speech, as it can make the speaker sound like they are reading from a formal essay or delivering a speech.
Grammar color guide
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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.
