jiu3 bat1 si6要不是
Jyutpingjiu3 bat1 si6
Yaleyiu bāt sih
Definition
If not; if it were not for; otherwise.
colloquialother
How it's used
This structure is used to introduce a counterfactual condition, highlighting how a specific factor prevented a different outcome. It functions as a more emphatic way to express regret or relief about a hypothetical situation. While it is widely understood, many speakers prefer using the simpler 如果唔係 or 唔係因為 to convey the same meaning in casual conversation.
Common phrases
if it weren't for you
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly translate the Mandarin 要不是 directly into Cantonese as 要唔係, but in natural spoken Cantonese, it is much more common to use 唔係因為 or simply 唔係 to start the clause. Using the full form can sound slightly formal or like a direct translation from written Chinese.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
