taam4談谈
Jyutpingtaam4
Yaletàahm
Definition
Talk, speech, or words spoken.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
Functions primarily as a morpheme in formal or literary compound words rather than as a standalone verb in spoken Cantonese. When you want to express the act of talking, use 講 instead. It appears most naturally in fixed expressions or abstract nouns describing the content of a speech or discussion.
Examples
These are things he said based on his experience.
Do you have any grand theories you want to share?
Related words
Common phrases
words of wisdom based on experience
to hold forth; to talk grandiosely
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it as a direct verb for chatting, but it sounds overly formal or archaic in that context. Always prefer 講 for everyday conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
