m4 zi1 gei2唔知幾唔知几
Jyutpingm4 zi1 gei2
Yalem̀h jī géi
Definition
Extremely; very; to an extent beyond expectation or imagination.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Functions as an intensifier that carries a strong subjective tone, often used to challenge the listener's assumption or to emphasize a degree that exceeds expectations. It frequently appears in rhetorical questions or sentences ending with particles like 呀 or 㗎 to heighten the emotional impact. Unlike standard intensifiers, it carries a sense of 'you would be surprised if you knew'.
Examples
The food at this restaurant is incredibly delicious.
Do you have any idea how much he wants to go on a trip?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal question about 'how many' or 'how much' because of the word 知. It is not a question about quantity but an idiomatic way to express 'very' or 'extremely'.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
