daa4 bi1打啤
Jyutpingdaa4 bi1
Yaledàh bī
Definition
But, yet, however, or nevertheless (a Malay loanword used in Southeast Asian Cantonese).
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Originating from the Malay word 'tapi', this term functions as a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'. It is almost exclusively used by the Cantonese-speaking diaspora in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. Native speakers in Hong Kong will generally not understand this word and will use 係就係或者但係 instead.
Examples
He is very smart, but he never studies.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word in Hong Kong or with speakers outside of Southeast Asia, as it will cause confusion. It is a regional loanword rather than a standard part of the Cantonese lexicon.
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.
