zeng3 waa6正話正话
Jyutpingzeng3 waa6
Yalejeng wah
Definition
Just now; a moment ago.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Refers to a very recent past, typically within the last few minutes or even seconds. It is strictly for spoken Cantonese and sounds unnatural in written contexts where 剛才 or 剛才 is preferred. It often carries a sense of immediacy, emphasizing that the event happened only a short while ago.
Examples
He just left a moment ago, you won't be able to catch up.
Related words
Common phrases
just a moment ago
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 啱啱. While both mean just now, 啱啱 is more versatile and can also mean just recently or just exactly, whereas 正話 is more specifically tied to the immediate past.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
