jat1 tiu4 sou3一條數一条数
Jyutpingjat1 tiu4 sou3
Yaleyāt tìuh sou
Definition
A single math problem, calculation, or financial account.
colloquialschoolmoney
How it's used
Beyond literal arithmetic, this phrase is frequently used metaphorically to refer to any complex situation or account that needs to be settled. It often appears in contexts involving money or debt, where settling an account is described as 找數. The classifier 條 is essential here, as it is the standard measure word for long, thin objects and abstract items like problems or rules.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 個 instead of 條. While 個 is the most common classifier in Cantonese, it sounds unnatural with 數 when referring to a specific problem or calculation.
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.
