jat6 cin4日前
Jyutpingjat6 cin4
Yaleyaht chìhn
Definition
The other day; a few days ago, typically used in news reporting.
writtentime
How it's used
Reserved almost exclusively for formal writing, news reports, or official announcements. Using it in casual, face to face conversation can sound overly stiff or like you are mimicking a news anchor. For everyday speech, use 幾日前 or 前幾日 instead.
Examples
Do you know the details about the traffic accident that happened a few days ago?
Common phrases
announced a few days ago
happened a few days ago
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in casual conversation because they see it frequently in newspapers. It carries a formal, journalistic tone that feels unnatural when talking to friends or family.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
