zaa3咋

Jyutpingzaa3

Yaleja

助詞Very common

Definition

Sentence-final particle used to express realization that something is less, fewer, or lower than expected.

colloquialparticle

How it's used

This particle functions as a minimizer that highlights a discrepancy between expectation and reality. It specifically emphasizes that the quantity or degree is lower than anticipated, often carrying a tone of surprise or slight disappointment. It is frequently paired with the word 得 to reinforce the sense of scarcity.

Examples

jyun4原loi4來dak1得ng5五man1蚊zaa5咋？

So it is only five dollars?

ngo5我ji5以wai4為hou2好jyun5遠，dim2點zi1知haang4行loeng5兩bou6步zau6就dou3到zaa5咋。

I thought it was far, but it turns out it is just a two-step walk.

Related words

see alsoze1啫jēsynonymzi2 hai6只係jí haih

Common phrases

dak1得……zaa5咋

only... (a small amount)

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 咋 with 啫. While both are sentence-final particles, 啫 is used to dismiss something as trivial or to insist on a point, whereas 咋 is strictly used to indicate a small amount or low degree.