cin4 go3 paai4前個排前个排
Jyutpingcin4 go3 paai4
Yalechìhn go pàaih
Definition
Earlier on; some time ago; previously.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Refers to a vague period of time in the recent past, typically spanning from a few days to a few weeks ago. It is strictly used for time reference and cannot be used to describe physical locations or positions. It feels more casual and immediate than the standard written term 之前.
Examples
It rained all the time earlier on, making everything so damp.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 前排, which is also common but slightly more concise. Both are interchangeable in most contexts, but avoid using these to refer to a specific date or a very distant past, as they imply a general, recent timeframe.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
