bat1 gwo3不過不过
Jyutpingbat1 gwo3
Yalebāt gwo
Definition
Not more than; to not exceed.
colloquialnumbersdaily actions
How it's used
While often used to mean "not more than," this term is frequently used in the sense of "to cross" or "to pass" a physical or abstract threshold. It functions as a versatile verb that can describe exceeding a limit, passing a point in time, or moving across a space. When used as a conjunction meaning "but" or "however," it is a separate lexical item that should not be confused with this verbal usage.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the verbal usage of 過 with the conjunction meaning "but." In the context of quantity, ensure you place the negative 唔 before 過 to correctly express "not exceeding" a limit.
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.
