gan1跟
Jyutpinggan1
Yalegān
Definition
To follow behind, or to come with as an accompaniment.
- to follow behind; to tail
- to come with; to be accompanied by
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Often implies physical proximity or mimicking someone's actions, such as learning a trade by following a master. It is frequently paired with the aspect marker 咗 or the continuous marker 住 to emphasize the act of trailing someone. Beyond physical movement, it can also mean to adopt a trend or to be included as an accessory, like a free gift.
Examples
You go ahead, I will follow behind you.
Why do you keep following me all the time?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 追, which specifically implies chasing or pursuing someone with intent to catch them. Using 跟 when you mean to catch up or chase someone can sound like you are just walking behind them casually.
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.
