zo2咗
Jyutpingzo2
Yalejó
Definition
An aspect marker placed after a verb to indicate a completed action or past event.
colloquialdaily actionsparticle
How it's used
Functions as the primary marker for completed actions, analogous to the function of 了 in Mandarin but with distinct placement rules. It is frequently omitted in negative sentences where 冇 is used instead to indicate non-completion. When used in questions, it often pairs with 未 to ask if an action has occurred.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use it to indicate future completion or as a sentence-final particle. It must immediately follow the verb, and placing it at the end of a sentence to mean 'already' is a common error stemming from Mandarin influence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
