jat1 go3 gwat1一個骨一个骨
Jyutpingjat1 go3 gwat1
Yaleyāt go gwāt
Definition
A quarter of an hour; fifteen minutes.
colloquialtimeslang
How it's used
This term is a classic example of Hong Kong's colonial linguistic influence, where the English word quarter was adapted into local slang. It is almost exclusively used in the context of telling time. You will hear it most often in casual settings when discussing meeting times or durations.
Examples
How much longer until you arrive? Still 15 minutes to go.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of bone, which is also 骨. Context is everything, so only use this when discussing time intervals.
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.
