jat1 tau4 bun3 jyut6一頭半月一头半月
Jyutpingjat1 tau4 bun3 jyut6
Yaleyāt tàuh bun yuht
Definition
A short period of time, around half a month to a month.
colloquialtime
How it's used
This expression is a flexible way to describe an indefinite but short duration of time. It is often used when the speaker is uncertain about the exact length of a trip or a project. It carries a casual tone and is frequently used to soften the precision of a timeline.
Examples
I might have to leave Hong Kong for a month or so.
Common phrases
to be away for a month or so
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for exactly one and a half months, but it actually refers to a vague period ranging from two weeks to one month. It is not a precise mathematical duration.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
