loi4來
Jyutpingloi4
Yalelòih
Definition
A prefix placed before a time noun or measure word to mean "coming" or "next".
colloquialtime
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use the character 嚟 instead of 來 for the verb meaning to come or the prefix indicating future time. Using 來 in spoken contexts can sound overly formal or like a written Mandarin loanword. The character 嚟 is the standard way to represent this sound in Cantonese writing.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 來 in daily speech because they see it in books or formal signs. Always use 嚟 when speaking or writing informal messages to avoid sounding stiff or unnatural.
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.
