zeoi3 zou2最早
Jyutpingzeoi3 zou2
Yalejeui jóu
Definition
Earliest or oldest.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Focuses on the absolute beginning of a timeline or a sequence of events. It functions as an adverb to describe when an action can occur or as a noun phrase to identify the person or thing that arrived or happened first. Unlike the Mandarin usage which can feel slightly more formal, this is used naturally in daily speech to negotiate schedules or describe sequences.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to arrive at work earliest
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 頭先, which refers to 'just now' or a moment ago, rather than the superlative 'earliest'.
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.
