do1 si4多時多时
Jyutpingdo1 si4
Yaledō sìh
Definition
For a long time; a long period of time.
colloquialtime
How it's used
While synonymous with 好耐, this term carries a slightly more formal or literary nuance, often appearing in written reports, news, or more serious storytelling. It is less common in casual, rapid-fire speech compared to the ubiquitous 好耐. Using it in everyday conversation can make you sound a bit dramatic or like you are narrating a story.
Examples
I have been waiting for a long time, why haven't you arrived yet?
They have been separated for a long time, and their feelings have faded quite a bit.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it as a direct replacement for 好耐 in every context, but it sounds unnatural when describing mundane daily tasks like waiting for a bus or cooking noodles. Stick to 好耐 for casual situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
