mou5冇
Jyutpingmou5
Yalemóuh
Definition
To have not; used before a verb or adjective to express that an action or state has not occurred.
Example
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Functions as the direct negation of 有, covering both possession and the perfect aspect. When used before a verb, it indicates that an action has not occurred or was not completed by a specific time. It is essential to distinguish this from 唔, which negates habitual or future actions.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 冇 with 唔. Use 冇 for past events or non-possession, and use 唔 for present habits, future intentions, or states of being.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
