jiu3 si6要是
Jyutpingjiu3 si6
Yaleyiu sih
Definition
If; in case.
writtenother
How it's used
Although grammatically correct, this term is significantly more formal than the standard spoken Cantonese equivalent 如果. It is frequently encountered in written texts, news reports, or formal speech rather than casual daily conversation. Using it in a relaxed setting may make you sound like you are reading from a script or trying to sound overly literary.
Examples
If it rains tomorrow, we won't go hiking.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse this because it is a direct translation of a common Mandarin word, but it sounds unnatural in casual Cantonese. Stick to 如果 or 假如 for everyday speech to sound more authentic.
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.
