bat1 ming4 baak6不明白
Jyutpingbat1 ming4 baak6
Yalebāt mìhng baahk
Definition
To not understand or comprehend.
writtencommunication
How it's used
The written form 不明白 is rarely used in spoken Cantonese, where speakers almost exclusively use 唔明. Using the full written form in casual conversation can sound overly formal or even robotic. It is much more natural to shorten it to the two-character 唔明 for everyday communication.
Related words
Common phrases
completely do not understand
Common mistake
Learners often use 不明白 because it mirrors Mandarin, but it sounds stiff and unnatural in a Hong Kong context. Stick to 唔明 to sound like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
