mat1乜
Jyutpingmat1
Yalemāt
Definition
What; an interrogative pronoun.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Used as an interrogative pronoun, this word functions similarly to 'what' but often carries a more casual or blunt tone compared to 乜嘢. It frequently appears in rhetorical questions or when expressing surprise, disbelief, or annoyance. In many contexts, speakers prefer 乜嘢 for clarity, while 乜 is reserved for shorter, punchier inquiries.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Beginners often mistakenly use 乜 in formal writing or polite situations where it can sound overly abrupt or rude. Always opt for 乜嘢 in neutral or polite conversation to avoid sounding aggressive.
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.
