jau5 jat1 nin4有一年
Jyutpingjau5 jat1 nin4
Yaleyáuh yāt nìhn
Definition
One year, referring to a specific but unspecified year in the past.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Functions as a narrative device to introduce a specific, often memorable, past event. It sets the scene for storytelling rather than indicating a duration of time. It is frequently used to start an anecdote about a unique experience that happened in a particular year.
Examples
One year I went to Japan for a trip.
Related words
Common phrases
one summer
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 一年, which simply means a duration of one year. Using 有一年 implies you are about to share a story about something that occurred during that specific time frame.
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.
- 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.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
