Cantonese connectives: 雖然...但係, 因為...所以
Connectives are the small words that link two ideas together, for contrast, for reason, for joining, and for sequence. The biggest surprise for English speakers is that Cantonese keeps both halves of a pair. Where English drops one word, Cantonese says both. This guide covers the everyday spoken connectives and the pairings you will use most.
The connectives at a glance
| Connective | Use | Rough English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| seoi1 jin4 ... daan6 hai6 雖然...但係 | Contrast across a sentence, both halves stay | although ... but |
| jan1 wai6 ... so2 ji5 因為...所以 | Reason and result, both halves stay | because ... so |
| bat1 gwo3 不過 | A lighter contrast on its own | but, however |
| tung4 maai4 同埋 | Joining two nouns or two actions | and |
| jin4 zi1 hau6 然之後 | Sequencing one action after another | then, after that |
seoi1 jin4 雖然 ... daan6 hai6 但係: although but
This pair marks contrast. seoi1 jin4 雖然 opens the first idea, and daan6 hai6 但係 opens the second. In English you say either "although" or "but", never both in the same sentence. Cantonese keeps both halves, and that feels redundant to an English ear at first. Say both anyway, because that is the natural pattern.
The single most common mistake is dropping one half of a pair to match English. "seoi1 jin4 hou2 gwai3, hou2 hou2 sik6" with no daan6 hai6 sounds unfinished. "hou2 gwai3, daan6 hai6 hou2 hou2 sik6" with no seoi1 jin4 loses the setup. Spoken Cantonese wants both: seoi1 jin4 to open the contrast and daan6 hai6 to turn it.
jan1 wai6 因為 ... so2 ji5 所以: because so
This pair links a reason to its result. jan1 wai6 因為 opens the reason, and so2 ji5 所以 opens the result. Just like the contrast pair, both halves stay. English picks one, "because" or "so", but Cantonese keeps the reason word and the result word together.
bat1 gwo3 不過: but, however
bat1 gwo3 不過 is a lighter contrast word that stands on its own, with no opening partner. It is softer than daan6 hai6 但係 and works well for an afterthought or a gentle qualification, close to English "but" or "however". You put it between the two ideas.
tung4 maai4 同埋: and
tung4 maai4 同埋 joins two things with and. It links nouns, like "tea and dim sum", and it links actions, like "eat and wash up". It sits between the two items it joins.
jin4 zi1 hau6 然之後: then
jin4 zi1 hau6 然之後 sequences one action after another, like English "then" or "after that". Use it to walk through steps in order. It opens the next step in the sequence.
Choosing the right connective
Quick decision guide:
- Setting up a contrast across the whole sentence? Use seoi1 jin4 雖然 ... daan6 hai6 但係 and keep both halves.
- Giving a reason and its result? Use jan1 wai6 因為 ... so2 ji5 所以 and keep both halves.
- Adding a light but or however on its own? Use bat1 gwo3 不過.
- Joining two nouns or two actions with and? Use tung4 maai4 同埋.
- Putting actions in sequence with then? Use jin4 zi1 hau6 然之後.
Common mistakes
Dropping one half of a pair
With seoi1 jin4 雖然 ... daan6 hai6 但係 and with jan1 wai6 因為 ... so2 ji5 所以, Cantonese keeps both halves. Saying only "seoi1 jin4" or only "daan6 hai6" sounds incomplete to a native ear. Resist the English habit of picking just one. Say both.
Using daan6 hai6 where bat1 gwo3 fits
daan6 hai6 但係 normally answers an opening seoi1 jin4 雖然. For a standalone, lighter "but" that needs no setup, bat1 gwo3 不過 is the more natural choice. "ngo5 zung1 ji3, bat1 gwo3 mou5 cin2" flows better than forcing daan6 hai6 in on its own.
Reaching for Mandarin connectives
For and, spoken Cantonese uses tung4 maai4 同埋, not the Mandarin word for and. For then, it uses jin4 zi1 hau6 然之後. Picking the Cantonese words keeps your speech in the right register for Hong Kong.
