m4 jat1 ding6唔一定

Jyutpingm4 jat1 ding6

Yalem̀h yāt dihng

Definition

Not necessarily; not absolutely; not for sure.

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How it's used

Expresses that something is not guaranteed or fixed, often used to soften a statement or introduce a counterpoint. It functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies the following verb or adjective, highlighting the existence of exceptions. Unlike the more formal 未必, this is highly versatile and common in casual conversation.

Examples

le1呢gaan1間caan1餐teng1廳hou2好sik6食，daan6但m4唔jat1一ding6定gwai3貴㗎。

This restaurant is good, but it is not necessarily expensive.

nei5你ting1聽jat6日wui2會m4唔jat1一ding6定faan1返gung1工aa1呀？

Are you not necessarily going to work tomorrow?

Common phrases

m4唔jat1一ding6定hai6係

not necessarily is

m4唔jat1一ding6定jau5有

not necessarily have

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 未必. While both imply uncertainty, 未必 carries a stronger sense of 'it is unlikely' or 'it is not necessarily the case that', whereas 唔一定 simply states that the outcome is not fixed or guaranteed.