mau5某
Jyutpingmau5
Yalemáuh
Definition
Some; certain; referring to an unspecified or unnamed person or thing.
neutralother
How it's used
Use this word when you want to refer to an indefinite person, place, or thing without specifying exactly which one. It functions similarly to the English "some" or "a certain" but feels more detached or vague. It is frequently paired with 個 to create the phrase 某個, which acts as a placeholder for a specific noun that you either do not want to name or have forgotten.
Examples
He saw you somewhere, but he can't remember where.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 某 to mean "any" in questions or negative sentences. In Cantonese, 某 is strictly for indefinite "some" or "a certain" instances, whereas "any" is usually expressed through other structures like 邊個 or 任何.
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.
