muk6 cin4 wai4 zi2目前為止目前为止
Jyutpingmuk6 cin4 wai4 zi2
Yalemuhk chìhn wàih jí
Definition
So far; up to now; up to the present point.
neutraltime
How it's used
Although often used in formal writing, this phrase is frequently adopted in spoken Cantonese to provide a clear temporal boundary for a statement. It functions as a sentence adverbial, usually placed at the very beginning to set the context for the entire clause. It is interchangeable with 到目前為止 in most contexts, though the latter feels slightly more emphatic.
Examples
How do you feel about this job so far?
Related words
Common phrases
progress so far
record to date
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean "right now" or "at this moment," but it specifically refers to the duration from a past point up to the present. For "right now," use 而家 instead.
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.
