zi3 gam1至今
Jyutpingzi3 gam1
Yaleji gām
Definition
Until now; up to the present; so far.
writtentime
How it's used
This term carries a formal tone that is more common in written reports, news, or serious discussions than in casual daily speech. When speaking informally, native speakers almost always prefer using 到而家 or 仲未 instead. It functions as an adverb to emphasize that a state or situation has persisted without change from a past point up to the present moment.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse this in casual conversation where it sounds stiff or overly dramatic. Stick to using it for formal contexts, like writing an essay or giving a professional presentation, to avoid sounding unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
