mou4毋
Jyutpingmou4
Yalemòuh
Definition
No, not, or to not have.
- literaryno; not; to not have
- literarythe surname Wu
writtenother
How it's used
Functioning as a formal or literary negative, this character is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively encountered in set phrases, idioms, or formal written notices where a concise, classical tone is desired. In casual conversation, speakers always prefer 唔 or 冇.
Examples
No need to worry, we will handle it.
Do not forget your original intention, keep working hard.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in daily speech because it appears in common idioms. Using it in a casual text or conversation will sound overly formal, archaic, or pretentious.
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.
