jat1 go3一個一个
Jyutpingjat1 go3
Yaleyāt go
Definition
One; a; an; a single.
colloquialnumbers
How it's used
Use this when you need to specify a singular count of an object. Unlike English, where the article is often dropped, Cantonese requires a measure word between the number and the noun. If you are unsure of the specific measure word for an object, using 個 is the safest default for most countable items.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget to include the measure word after 一, leading to sentences like 一蘋果 instead of 一個蘋果. Always remember that the structure must be number plus measure word plus noun.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
