naa5那
Jyutpingnaa5
Yalenáh
Definition
That; those; used to refer to something distant from the speaker.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 嗰 to express the concept of that or those. The character 那 is rarely used in spoken Cantonese and is typically reserved for formal written Chinese or literary contexts. Using 嗰 helps ensure your speech sounds natural and authentic to a Hong Kong listener.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 那 because it is common in Mandarin, but it will sound unnatural or overly formal in daily conversation. Always use 嗰 when speaking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
