m4 daan1 zi2唔單只唔单只
Jyutpingm4 daan1 zi2
Yalem̀h dāan jí
Definition
Not only; not just.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This conjunction is frequently paired with 仲 or 仲有 in the second clause to emphasize the additional information. It carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone compared to just saying 唔係淨係. You will often hear it used when highlighting an unexpected or impressive secondary quality.
Examples
He not only knows how to speak Cantonese, but also knows Japanese.
This restaurant not only has good food, but the service is also great.
Related words
Common phrases
m4唔daan1單zi2只...zung6仲...
not only... but also...
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistakenly use it as a direct translation of 'not only' without adding a follow-up clause, which makes the sentence feel incomplete. Always ensure there is a second part to the sentence that introduces the additional point.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
