joek6若
Jyutpingjoek6
Yaleyeuhk
Definition
To be like; as if.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is primarily a literary morpheme that rarely stands alone in modern spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively found in fixed four character idioms or set phrases that describe a state of being or appearance. When you want to express the meaning of 'as if' in everyday speech, use 好似 instead.
Examples
When he was talking, he looked as if he was deep in thought.
Related words
Common phrases
as if nothing had happened
acting as if no one else is present
Common mistake
Do not attempt to use this as a standalone conjunction to mean 'if' or 'like' in casual conversation, as it will sound unnatural or archaic. It is strictly reserved for formal expressions or specific idioms.
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.
