haai6械
Jyutpinghaai6
Yalehaaih
Definition
To introduce the object of an action or the tool used before a verb.
dateddaily actions
How it's used
This character functions as a preposition indicating the instrument or tool used to perform an action. It is largely considered archaic or highly regional in modern spoken Cantonese, having been almost entirely replaced by 用. You will mostly encounter it in older literature or specific dialectal pockets rather than in daily Hong Kong speech.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners should avoid using this in modern conversation as it will sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers who expect the standard 用.
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.
- How oftenUsually, sometimes, all the time, rarely, never. All five sit in one slot, between the subject and the verb.
- 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.
