jat1 go3一个
Jyutpingjat1 go3
Yaleyāt go
Definition
One; a; an; a single one.
colloquialnumbers
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost always include a measure word between the number and the noun. Using a number directly with a noun sounds unnatural or like a direct translation from written Chinese. The character 個 is the most versatile classifier and can often replace more specific ones when the speaker is being casual.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget to include a specific measure word when they are more comfortable with the generic 個. While 個 is widely accepted, using it for everything can make your speech sound slightly less native than using the correct specific classifier like 隻 for animals or 本 for books.
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.
