ji1 gaa1依家
Jyutpingji1 gaa1
Yaleyī gā
Definition
Now; currently; at present.
colloquialtime
How it's used
This is the standard, everyday way to express the present moment in spoken Cantonese. While written Chinese uses 現在, that term sounds formal or stiff when spoken aloud in Hong Kong. Using 依家 makes your speech sound much more natural and native.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 宜家, which is the brand name for IKEA. While they sound identical in many accents, they are distinct in meaning and context.
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.
