gan2僅仅
Jyutpinggan2
Yalegán
Definition
Only; merely; barely.
writtenother
How it's used
Although 僅 is a standard Chinese character, it is rarely used in spoken Cantonese compared to 淨係 or 得. It carries a more formal or literary tone, often appearing in written reports, news, or formal speech. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a textbook.
Examples
This plan has just enough money to be carried out.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 僅 with 淨係. While 淨係 is the go-to word for 'only' in daily life, 僅 is better suited for contexts involving quantities, limits, or formal constraints.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
