noi6 m4 si4耐唔時耐唔时
Jyutpingnoi6 m4 si4
Yalenoih m̀h sìh
Definition
Sometimes; occasionally; from time to time.
colloquialtime
How it's used
This phrase captures a sense of irregular, intermittent occurrence rather than a fixed schedule. It is often used to describe habits or events that happen just often enough to be noticeable but not frequently enough to be routine. It carries a slightly more casual and conversational tone than the more standard term 間唔時.
Examples
He comes back to visit us from time to time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a duration of time, but it refers to the frequency of an event, not how long something lasts. Do not confuse it with 耐, which specifically relates to long duration.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
