m4 hai6 gei2…唔係幾...唔系几...
Jyutpingm4 hai6 gei2…
Yalem̀h haih gei2…
Definition
Not very; not really; not so.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Functions as a polite or indirect way to express disagreement or negative evaluation. It softens the blow of a direct criticism by suggesting the quality or state is merely not quite up to par rather than completely bad. It is frequently used when someone wants to avoid sounding overly harsh or confrontational.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean 'not' in a literal or absolute sense. It specifically denotes a degree of deficiency or a lack of enthusiasm, so it sounds unnatural if used to describe a binary state like being dead or finished.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
