maa1麽
Jyutpingmaa1
Yalemā
Definition
An auxiliary character used in compound words and as an interrogative particle.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 乜 instead of the Mandarin 什么 to express what. It functions as a pronoun for things or actions and is frequently paired with particles like 呀 or 㗎 to soften the tone. When used in a question, it often implies a sense of confusion or disbelief depending on the intonation.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 什么 in spoken Cantonese, which sounds unnatural and stiff. Always prefer 乜 or 乜嘢 in daily conversation.
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.
