dak1得
Jyutpingdak1
Yaledāk
Definition
To only have; there is only.
colloquialdaily actionsnumbers
How it's used
This word functions as a contraction of 淨係有, meaning to possess or have only a limited amount. It is frequently paired with the particle 咋 or 啫 at the end of the sentence to emphasize the small quantity or scarcity of the item mentioned. It is strictly a colloquial term and should be avoided in formal writing.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin meaning of 得, which can mean to obtain or must. In Cantonese, it is strictly used for quantity limitation, so avoid using it to mean to gain or to have to.
Grammar color guide
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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.
