mou5 gam3冇咁
Jyutpingmou5 gam3
Yalemóuh gam
Definition
Not so; not as much; less.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This phrase is a versatile way to express a comparative negative, often used to soften a statement or temper an expectation. It frequently appears before adjectives to indicate that something is less than a certain degree or standard. You will hear it constantly in casual conversation when comparing current states to previous ones or setting boundaries on intensity.
Examples
Common mistake
Learners often try to translate not so directly using 唔係咁, which usually refers to a state of being rather than a degree of intensity. Use 冇咁 when comparing levels or degrees, and reserve 唔係咁 for negating a description or situation.
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.
