si6 fau2是否
Jyutpingsi6 fau2
Yalesih fáu
Definition
Whether or not; if.
writtencommunication
How it's used
Whether or not is almost exclusively expressed using the A-not-A structure in Cantonese. Using 是否 sounds overly formal, bureaucratic, or like a direct translation from written Chinese, making it sound unnatural in casual conversation. Native speakers prefer using 係咪 or 係唔係 to frame these questions.
Related words
Common phrases
confirm whether
Common mistake
Learners often use 是否 in spoken Cantonese because they see it in textbooks, but it carries a stiff, cold tone that can make you sound like you are reading a legal document or a news report. Stick to 係咪 for everyday interactions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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).
