mat1 je5乜嘢
Jyutpingmat1 je5
Yalemāt yéh
Definition
What; an interrogative pronoun used to ask about something unclear.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Often shortened to just 乜 in rapid speech, especially when expressing surprise or disbelief. It functions as the standard interrogative for things and abstract concepts, replacing the Mandarin 什麼 entirely in daily life. Using it at the end of a sentence can sometimes convey a sense of annoyance or impatience.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 乜嘢 with 邊樣, but 乜嘢 is used for general identification while 邊樣 is used specifically for choosing between a set of options.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
