zing6 hai6淨係淨系
Jyutpingzing6 hai6
Yalejihng haih
Definition
Only; just; solely; with the exclusion of everything else.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the exclusion of other possibilities or options. It is frequently paired with 得 to emphasize that a quantity or scope is limited, such as in 淨係得一個人. It feels more natural and emphatic than the standard 只係 in casual speech.
Examples
He only likes to eat apples.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'clean' as in the verb 淨, which is a common confusion for learners. Also, ensure it is placed before the verb or the specific element being restricted.
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.
