jat1 ji6一二
Jyutpingjat1 ji6
Yaleyāt yih
Definition
One or two, a little, a few, or one by one.
colloquialnumbersdescriptions
How it's used
Used to describe a small amount of knowledge or a sequential process. When referring to knowledge, it often carries a sense of modesty, implying the speaker is not an expert. In the context of speaking or explaining, it emphasizes a logical, orderly progression of points.
Examples
He speaks in an organized, step-by-step manner.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal numbers one and two. It is an idiomatic expression for a small quantity or a sequence, not a literal count of items.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
