dei2哋
Jyutpingdei2
Yaledéi
Definition
Suffix used with reduplicated adjectives to mean "rather", "quite", or "a bit".
Example
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Adding 哋 to a reduplicated adjective softens the intensity of the description, making it sound more casual and less absolute. It is frequently used to express a mild or vague state, such as feeling slightly tired or something appearing a bit off. This construction is inherently informal and adds a conversational, subjective touch to your observations.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget to apply the mandatory tone change to the second syllable of the reduplicated adjective. Failing to shift the tone to the high rising tone makes the phrase sound unnatural and can even lead to confusion with other words.
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.
