zok6 maan5昨晚
Jyutpingzok6 maan5
Yalejohk máahn
Definition
Yesterday evening or last night.
colloquialtime
How it's used
琴晚 is the standard way to say last night in spoken Cantonese, whereas 昨晚 is strictly a written form. Using 昨晚 in casual conversation will sound overly formal or like someone reading from a textbook. It is common to hear people drop the final consonant in fast speech, making it sound closer to 琴晚.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 昨晚 because it looks like the Mandarin word, but it is almost never used in spoken Cantonese. Always prefer 琴晚 to sound natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
