ho4 zi2何止
Jyutpingho4 zi2
Yalehòh jí
Definition
Not only; far more than.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Emphasizes that a situation far exceeds a certain expectation or limit. It almost always carries a rhetorical tone, often implying that the reality is much more extreme than what the listener might assume. It is frequently paired with a follow-up clause that introduces the more intense or surprising fact.
Examples
He didn't just arrive late, he didn't even show up for work.
It's not just expensive here, it's basically daylight robbery.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple conjunction like 唔單止, but it is specifically used to frame a rhetorical question or an emphatic statement where the speaker is challenging the listener's underestimation.
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.
