mei6 soeng4未嘗未尝

Jyutpingmei6 soeng4

Yalemeih sèuhng

副詞Uncommon

Definition

Used before a negative to indicate possibility or to make a guarded assertion.

writtenother

How it's used

Expressing a cautious or softened opinion by using a double negative is a hallmark of this structure. It functions as a rhetorical device to suggest that a possibility exists, even if it is not immediately obvious. It is significantly more formal than using direct language and is often found in analytical or persuasive speech.

Examples

ni1呢go3個fong1方faat3法mei6未soeng4嘗m4唔hai6係jat1一go3個hou2好syun2選zaak6擇。

This method might not be a bad choice.

keoi5佢gam3咁zou6做mei6未soeng4嘗mou5冇keoi5佢ge3嘅dou6道lei5理。

What he did might not be without its logic.

Common phrases

mei6未soeng4嘗m4唔hai6係

might not be

mei6未soeng4嘗mou5冇

might not be without

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple negation, but it actually functions as a double negative to create a positive, albeit hesitant, assertion. Using it in casual, high-speed conversation can sound overly academic or stiff.