cat1 ming4七名
Jyutpingcat1 ming4
Yalechāt mìhng
Definition
Seven people; a group or count of seven persons.
writtennumberspeople
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or written contexts, such as news reports, official announcements, or formal documents. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost always use 七個人 instead of 七名 to count people. Using 名 in casual conversation can sound overly stiff or bureaucratic.
Examples
Seven students are participating in the activity this time.
Are there seven staff members over there?
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 名 as a general measure word for people in all situations. Remember that 名 is a formal classifier for individuals, whereas 個 is the standard, natural choice for almost all human counting in speech.
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.
