gaang1更
Jyutpinggaang1
Yalegāang
Definition
A traditional Chinese night watch; a unit of time dividing the night into five two-hour periods.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Refers specifically to the traditional system of dividing the night into five segments starting from 7 PM. While rarely used for actual timekeeping today, it remains deeply embedded in idioms describing late-night activities. It carries a slightly dramatic or literary flair when used in modern conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He gets home in the middle of the night, it is very dangerous.
Related words
Common phrases
to patrol the streets at night and announce the time
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the adverb 更 meaning 'more', which is pronounced differently in Cantonese and serves a completely different grammatical function.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
