ting3 gong2 waa2聽講話听讲话
Jyutpingting3 gong2 waa2
Yaleting góng wá
Definition
To hear it said that; to hear of; to rumor has it.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This expression functions as a hearsay marker, indicating that the information provided is based on rumors or reports rather than direct knowledge. It is slightly more conversational and emphatic than simply using 聽講, as the addition of 話 acts as a bridge to the following clause. It is frequently used when sharing gossip or news about people or events in one's social circle.
Examples
I heard that a new restaurant opened nearby.
Who did you hear is coming to this party?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct translation of 'I heard someone say', but it is more natural to use it as an impersonal 'it is said that' or 'I heard that'. Avoid using it when you have witnessed the event yourself, as it explicitly signals a lack of firsthand verification.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
