cang4 gei2 ho4 si4曾幾何時曾几何时
Jyutpingcang4 gei2 ho4 si4
Yalechàhng géi hòh sìh
Definition
Quite a long time ago; once upon a time.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Reflects a sense of nostalgia or wistful reflection on how things have changed over time. It is often used to contrast a past state of glory or activity with a current state of decline or inactivity. While it sounds slightly more literary than everyday slang, it is frequently used in casual conversation to emphasize the passage of time.
Examples
I was quite a good sportsman a long time ago.
This place was quite a bustling market a long time ago.
Related words
Common phrases
used to be
Common mistake
Many learners mistakenly use this to mean 'sometimes' or 'at one point' in a way that implies a recurring action, but it specifically refers to a single, distant period in the past that is no longer true.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
