jat1 go3 jan4一個人一个人
Jyutpingjat1 go3 jan4
Yaleyāt go yàhn
Definition
Alone; by oneself; on one's own.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the state of being solitary rather than just the count of people. It is frequently paired with the verb 坐 or 企 to describe someone standing or sitting in isolation. Unlike the formal 獨自, this phrase carries a more casual, conversational tone suitable for everyday social interactions.
Examples
I like to travel alone.
Are you eating by yourself?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean a single individual in a counting context, as it specifically emphasizes the lack of company. Use 一個 instead if you are simply referring to the quantity of one person.
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).
