zok6 tin1昨天
Jyutpingzok6 tin1
Yalejohk tīn
Definition
Yesterday; the day before today.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Use 尋日 exclusively in spoken Cantonese to refer to the day before today. While 昨天 is understood, it sounds like a reading from a textbook or a news broadcast and will mark you as a non-native speaker. For an even more casual or emphatic feel, some speakers use 噚日.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 昨天 in conversation, as it is strictly a written form. Using it orally sounds unnatural and overly formal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
