wong5 jat6往日
Jyutpingwong5 jat6
Yalewóhng yaht
Definition
In the past; former days.
neutraltime
How it's used
Often carries a nostalgic or slightly melancholic tone when reflecting on how things have changed. It is more formal than simply saying 以前, making it suitable for storytelling or reflective conversations rather than casual daily chatter. It frequently appears in set phrases that contrast the current situation with a previous state.
Examples
The glory of the past is no longer here.
Do you still remember things from the past?
Related words
Common phrases
Things are different now compared to the past
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, immediate contexts like talking about what you did yesterday, as it implies a more distant or significant passage of time. For recent events, stick to 以前 or 之前.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
