gei2 naan4 sin1 zi3幾難先至几难先至
Jyutpinggei2 naan4 sin1 zi3
Yalegéi nàahn sīn ji
Definition
It is so difficult to; finally after much effort.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This phrase emphasizes the significant effort or long duration required to achieve a specific outcome. It is often used to express frustration or to highlight the rarity of an event. The structure typically places the difficulty before the action, followed by the particle 先至 to signal the eventual success or occurrence.
Examples
How hard is it for you to finally listen to me?
Common phrases
so hard to wait until
so hard to find
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 幾難, which simply means 'how difficult'. Remember that 幾難先至 requires a follow-up action or result to complete the thought, as it focuses on the process of overcoming that difficulty.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
