mou4 taa1無他无他
Jyutpingmou4 taa1
Yalemòuh tā
Definition
For no other reason; simply.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily at the beginning of a sentence to provide a simple, singular explanation for an action or situation. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in spoken Cantonese, often serving to dismiss complex speculation by pointing to an obvious, underlying motive.
Examples
He did that for no other reason than wanting you to be happier.
Related words
Common phrases
it is just that
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 冇其他, which literally means there is nothing else. While they share a similar meaning, 無他 is a set phrase used to introduce a reason, whereas 冇其他 is a literal description of quantity or existence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
