taai3 gwo3太過太过
Jyutpingtaai3 gwo3
Yaletaai gwo
Definition
Way too; far too much; an emphatic form of "too".
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Emphasizes a degree that goes beyond acceptable limits or expectations. While standard Mandarin uses 太過 as a common adverb, in Cantonese it often carries a stronger, more critical tone when evaluating someone's behavior or a situation. It is frequently paired with adjectives that imply a negative judgment or an extreme state.
Examples
What you did is really way too much.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a direct synonym for the simple adverb 太 in every context. Using 太過 for minor, neutral observations can sound overly dramatic or accusatory, whereas 太 is neutral and versatile.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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).
