jo1唷
Jyutpingjo1
Yaleyō
Definition
Yo; a casual greeting used to get someone's attention.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Functions primarily as an informal, energetic greeting between friends or peers. It carries a casual and slightly playful tone, making it inappropriate for formal settings or when addressing superiors. It is often followed by a comma or a short pause in speech to set the tone for the rest of the greeting.
Examples
Yo, you got up so early today?
Yo, long time no see!
Related words
Common phrases
Yo, hello
Common mistake
Avoid using this with elders or in professional environments, as it can be perceived as overly familiar or disrespectful. It is strictly a spoken particle and should not appear in formal writing.
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.
