hai6 me1係咩系咩
Jyutpinghai6 me1
Yalehaih mē
Definition
Really? Is that so?
colloquialparticlecommunication
How it's used
Functions as a versatile tag question used to express surprise, skepticism, or a desire for confirmation. It carries a slightly more inquisitive or challenging tone than the neutral 係唔係. When spoken with a rising intonation, it signals genuine curiosity, but with a flat or falling tone, it can sound dismissive or doubting.
Examples
He says there is a holiday tomorrow, really?
You say this restaurant is good, is that so?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this as a direct translation of 'really' in every context, as it specifically questions the truth of a statement. If you want to express agreement or confirm something is correct, use 係呀 instead.
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.
