sei3 go3 siu2 si4四個小時四个小时

Jyutpingsei3 go3 siu2 si4

Yalesei go síu sìh

Definition

Four hours.

neutraltime

How it's used

While 四個小時 is perfectly understandable and grammatically correct, native speakers almost exclusively use 四個鐘頭 or simply 四個鐘 in daily conversation. Using 小時 often sounds slightly formal, academic, or like a direct translation from written Chinese. Reserve this for formal presentations, news reports, or written documents where a more standard tone is required.

Examples

ngo5我hai2喺dou6度dang2等zo2咗sei3四go3個siu2小si4時laa3喇。

I have been waiting here for four hours.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使co5坐sei3四go3個siu2小si4時ce1車aa4呀？

Do you need to ride the car for four hours?

Common phrases

dang2等zo2咗sei3四go3個siu2小si4時

waited for four hours

sei3四go3個siu2小si4時ce1車cing4程

a four-hour drive

Common mistake

Learners often use 小時 in casual settings where 鐘 or 鐘頭 is much more natural. Additionally, remember that the measure word 個 is required between the number and the time unit in Cantonese, unlike in some other varieties of Chinese.