saam1 go3 zi6三個字三个字
Jyutpingsaam1 go3 zi6
Yalesāam go jih
Definition
Three characters or words; fifteen minutes of time.
- three characters or words
- fifteen minutes, as read on a clock face
colloquialtime
How it's used
Refers specifically to fifteen minutes of time because each character represents five minutes on a clock face. It is a very common way to express a quarter of an hour in casual conversation. Using this phrase helps you sound much more like a local than saying 一個骨或者十五分鐘.
Examples
Let's meet at the MTR station in fifteen minutes.
You still have fifteen minutes to think it over.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of three written characters. Context is everything, so if you are talking about time, listeners will understand you mean fifteen minutes.
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.
