m4 dak1唔得
Jyutpingm4 dak1
Yalem̀h dāk
Definition
Cannot; unable to; not allowed.
- cannot; unable to
- not allowed; forbidden
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Functions as a versatile catch-all for inability, prohibition, or general unacceptability. It often carries a sense of finality or firm refusal when used at the end of a sentence. Unlike formal expressions, it is the standard way to reject a request or state that a situation is not viable.
Examples
You cannot park here, go park next door.
Related words
Common phrases
not good enough or failing to achieve a result
absolutely not possible
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 唔可以, which specifically denotes permission or possibility. While 唔得 can imply both ability and permission, it is much more informal and direct than 唔可以.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
