do1 nin4多年
Jyutpingdo1 nin4
Yaledō nìhn
Definition
Many years; a long time.
neutraltime
How it's used
Often used to emphasize a significant passage of time in a slightly more formal or literary tone than simply saying 好多年. It frequently appears in contexts describing long-standing relationships, professional experience, or the duration of an absence. While it functions as a duration, it is less common in casual, rapid-fire speech compared to the more emphatic 好多年.
Examples
Have you been away from Hong Kong for many years without coming back?
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly treat it as a noun phrase that can be modified by numbers, but it is an adverbial expression of time. Avoid saying 三多年, as this is grammatically incorrect; use 三年幾 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
