jyu5 fau2與否与否
Jyutpingjyu5 fau2
Yaleyúh fáu
Definition
Whether or not; expressing the positive and negative possibilities of an action or state.
writtencommunication
How it's used
This term is formal and primarily appears in written Cantonese or serious, structured speech. It functions as a concise way to present a binary choice, effectively replacing the more common spoken structure of verb plus 唔 plus verb. Using it in casual, everyday conversation can make you sound overly academic or stiff.
Examples
Whether you go tomorrow or not, remember to let me know.
Whether this plan is feasible or not still needs to be discussed in a meeting.
Related words
Common phrases
whether it is feasible or not
whether it is true or false
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this in casual settings where it sounds unnatural. In daily speech, it is much more common to use the structure of verb plus 唔 plus verb, such as 去唔去 or 鍾唔鍾意, instead of using this formal construction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
