jat1 soeng1一雙一双
Jyutpingjat1 soeng1
Yaleyāt sēung
Definition
A pair or a couple.
neutralnumbers
How it's used
While 一雙 is technically correct for a pair, it is significantly less common in daily speech than 一對. Using 一雙 often sounds slightly more formal, literary, or poetic, similar to how one might use 'a couple of' versus 'a pair of' in specific contexts. Most Hong Kongers will default to 一對 for everyday items like shoes or socks.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse 一雙 because it directly translates to 'a pair' in dictionaries, but it can sound unnatural or overly formal when referring to common household objects. Stick to 一對 for almost all daily situations to sound more like a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
