soeng2 dak1 dou3想得到
Jyutpingsoeng2 dak1 dou3
Yaleséung dāk dou
Definition
To be able to think of or anticipate; imaginable, conceivable, or expected.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Functions primarily as a potential complement to indicate whether an idea or solution can be conceived. It often appears in negative constructions like 諗唔到 to express surprise or an inability to solve a problem. When used in a positive sense, it emphasizes the achievement of coming up with a clever idea.
Common phrases
cannot think of; unexpected
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 想要 which means to want or desire something. Remember that 諗得到 focuses on the mental process of conceiving an idea, whereas 想要 focuses on the intention to possess an object.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
