zi1 noi6之內之内
Jyutpingzi1 noi6
Yalejī noih
Definition
Within; not exceeding a certain limit, range, or period of time.
neutraltime
How it's used
Used primarily to define a temporal or spatial boundary, this term functions as a postposition that attaches directly to the noun phrase it limits. It is more common in formal or written contexts compared to the purely colloquial 喺...入面, which is often preferred in casual speech for physical spaces. When discussing time, it emphasizes that the event must occur before the specified deadline.
Examples
He will definitely be back within five minutes.
Can you get it done within two days?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it for physical containers, such as saying "inside the box" as 盒之內, but 盒入面 is the natural choice for physical interiors. Reserve it for abstract limits or specific timeframes.
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.
