gei3既
Jyutpinggei3
Yalegei
Definition
Both... and...; used with 又 to introduce two different descriptions of the same thing.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This conjunction is almost exclusively used in the pattern 既...又... to list two positive or neutral attributes of a subject. It carries a formal or slightly literary tone compared to using just 仲或者同埋, so it is more common in written descriptions or formal speech than in casual banter. It is important to note that the character 既 is often confused with 嘅 in casual typing, but they serve completely different grammatical functions.
Examples
He is both smart and very hardworking.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 既 as a possessive particle like 嘅, but 既 is strictly a conjunction. Additionally, do not use it to connect two negative traits, as it is intended to highlight multiple favorable qualities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
