maa1孖
Jyutpingmaa1
Yalemā
Definition
Twin; double; in a pair.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily as a prefix to describe things that come in pairs or are identical. It carries a slightly more informal and affectionate tone than the more formal 雙. You will frequently hear it applied to people, but it also appears in everyday objects like 孖煙囪 for boxer shorts.
Examples
The two of them are twins.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 雙, which is used in more formal or abstract contexts. While 孖 is perfect for twins or physical pairs, it cannot replace 雙 in phrases like 雙方 (both sides) or 雙重 (double).
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.
