liu5了
Jyutpingliu5
Yalelíuh
Definition
To settle, conclude, or bring to an end.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Unlike the Mandarin aspect marker, this character in Cantonese is almost exclusively used as a verb meaning to finish or resolve. It carries a sense of finality, often implying that a burden or lingering issue has been cleared. It is frequently paired with 結 to form the compound 了結, which is the standard way to express ending a conflict or a long-standing task.
Examples
When will you finally be willing to end this relationship?
Related words
Common phrases
to settle or conclude
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the aspect marker 了 used in Mandarin to indicate completed action. In Cantonese, the aspect marker for completion is 咗, and using 了 in that position will sound like a grammatical error or an attempt to speak Mandarin.
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.
