mou5 noi6冇耐
Jyutpingmou5 noi6
Yalemóuh noih
Definition
Shortly; before long; after a very short period of time.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Focuses on the passage of a brief amount of time, often used to describe how quickly something happened after another event. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is frequently paired with particles like 嘅 or just placed at the end of a clause to indicate a short duration has elapsed. Unlike formal expressions for time, it carries a casual, conversational rhythm that fits perfectly into everyday storytelling.
Examples
I haven't moved here long, I don't know all the neighbors yet.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 唔耐, which is not a standard way to express a short duration in Cantonese. Always use 冇耐 to describe a short passage of time.
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.
