gong2講讲
Jyutpinggong2
Yalegóng
Definition
To speak, say, talk, or tell; to express meaning using language.
Example
colloquialcommunicationdaily actions
How it's used
Use this verb for almost any act of speaking, whether it is telling a story, explaining a situation, or just chatting. It is much more versatile than the formal 說 or the Mandarin-leaning 講話, which often sounds stiff or unnatural in casual Cantonese. When you want to emphasize the act of gossiping or discussing someone, you can also use 講開.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 講 to mean 'to speak a language' in the sense of ability; for that, use 識講 or 講得好. Also, do not confuse it with 傾, which specifically implies a two-way conversation or chat.
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).
