jat1 zyu6一住
Jyutpingjat1 zyu6
Yaleyāt jyuh
Definition
To live at or reside in a place permanently or continuously.
colloquialplacesdaily actions
How it's used
This structure emphasizes the duration or the continuous nature of staying in a place. It is almost always used with a time duration following the second instance of the verb, highlighting that the action of living somewhere has been uninterrupted.
Examples
I have lived here for ten years straight.
How long do you plan on staying over there?
Related words
Common phrases
to have stayed for as long as
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this structure with other verbs, but it is highly idiomatic and primarily restricted to verbs of staying or living like 住. It cannot be used for short-term actions like eating or walking.
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.
