jat1一
Jyutpingjat1
Yaleyāt
Definition
One; the first of the natural numbers.
colloquialnumbers
How it's used
Cantonese speakers often drop the number one when it precedes a measure word, especially in casual speech. For example, saying 碗飯 instead of 一碗飯 is perfectly natural and common. When used for emphasis, however, it remains essential to clarify that you mean exactly one and nothing more.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 一 before every measure word, which can sound slightly formal or robotic. In natural speech, if the context is clear, omitting the number makes your sentences sound much more native.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- How oftenUsually, sometimes, all the time, rarely, never. All five sit in one slot, between the subject and the verb.
- 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.
