jau5 se1有些
Jyutpingjau5 se1
Yaleyáuh sē
Definition
Some; a few; also used as an adverb to mean a little or a bit.
- some; a few; several
- a little; a bit; slightly
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Use 有啲 to describe a moderate degree of an adjective or to express a small quantity. It functions as a versatile modifier that softens statements, making them sound less blunt or demanding. Unlike the Mandarin equivalent, it is almost exclusively used in spoken contexts and never in formal writing.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 有些 in spoken Cantonese, as it sounds like a direct translation from written Chinese or Mandarin and will sound unnatural to native speakers. Always use 有啲 instead.
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.
