me1 dou1乜都
Jyutpingme1 dou1
Yalemē dōu
Definition
Everything; anything; all things.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used to express totality or universality in a negative or emphatic context. It frequently appears with the negative particle 唔 to mean nothing at all, as in 乜都唔知. It carries a slightly more informal and emphatic tone than the standard 全部.
Examples
You know everything, you're really impressive.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 乜都 in positive declarative sentences where 全部 is more appropriate. While 乜都 can imply everything, it is most natural when emphasizing a lack of something or an extreme, all-encompassing state.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
