di1 di1啲啲
Jyutpingdi1 di1
Yaledī dī
Definition
A very small amount; a tiny bit.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Doubling the character 啲 creates a diminutive effect that emphasizes a very small or negligible amount. It carries a more precise or emphatic tone than the standard 啲, often implying that even a small amount is sufficient or that the remaining quantity is minimal. It is frequently used in casual requests to specify that one wants only a tiny portion of something.
Examples
You still have a tiny bit of time, hurry up and finish it.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 啲啲 with 啲, but 啲啲 is specifically used to emphasize a smaller quantity. Using 啲啲 when you actually mean a general plural or a standard amount can sound slightly unnatural or overly specific.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
