lap1 zung1粒鐘粒钟
Jyutpinglap1 zung1
Yalelāp jūng
Definition
Hour
colloquialtime
How it's used
Using 粒鐘 is a very common way to express duration in spoken Cantonese, acting as a direct substitute for 小時. It sounds much more natural and casual than the formal term, which can sound stiff or overly academic in daily conversation. While 粒 is technically a classifier for small, round objects, it is applied here to the concept of an hour as a discrete unit of time.
Examples
I have been waiting here for three hours.
How many more hours do you need to get this finished?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 粒鐘 to refer to a specific time on the clock, such as three o'clock. It is exclusively for measuring the duration of an event, not for telling time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
