geoi3句
Jyutpinggeoi3
Yalegeui
Definition
A measure word for hours.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Using 句 as a measure word for time is specific to the duration of hours. It is a traditional and slightly more formal or literary way to express time compared to the common 鐘 or 個鐘. You will often hear it in older generations or in certain storytelling contexts.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the standard measure word for sentences, which is also 句. While the character is identical, the meaning is entirely dependent on whether it follows a number before the word 鐘.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
