ho2 nang4可能
Jyutpingho2 nang4
Yalehó nàhng
Definition
Possibly; probably; maybe; describing something that is likely but not certain to happen.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Often used to express a moderate degree of certainty, functioning as both an adverb and a noun. When used as a noun, it refers to the concept of possibility itself. It is frequently paired with the particle 㗎 to soften the tone when speculating about a situation.
Examples
He might go hiking tomorrow.
Do you think it's possible that he is lying?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a direct translation for the English word 'maybe' at the start of a sentence. In Cantonese, it is more natural to place it after the subject or before the verb rather than as an isolated sentence-initial adverb.
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.
