jyu4 gwo2如果
Jyutpingjyu4 gwo2
Yaleyùh gwó
Definition
If; in case of; used to introduce a conditional clause.
colloquialother
How it's used
While commonly used in speech, native speakers often prefer the more colloquial alternative 假使 or simply starting a sentence with 咁 if the conditional context is already established. It is almost always paired with 就 in the second clause to emphasize the consequence. Using it without a following 就 can sometimes make a sentence sound slightly incomplete or formal.
Examples
If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go hiking.
If you are not feeling well, go home early to rest.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it to mean 'because' or 'since' due to interference from other languages. Remember that it strictly introduces a hypothetical condition, not a reason for an event that has already occurred.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
