Grammar
Saying who someone is
Using 係 to say A is B
0words
20XP
3–4min
Grammar
Saying who someone is
To say what or who something **is**, Cantonese puts one little word between the two parts. It works like an equals sign: this **is** that.
A is B
A + 係 + B
hai6係is / am / are
係 means is, am, or are. To say what or who something is, put 係 between the two parts, like A 係 B. To say A is not B, use 唔係. Use 係 for naming things and people, the way English uses “is a”.
ni1呢go3個hai6係ngo5我ge3嘅maa4媽maa1媽
This is my mum
keoi5佢hai6係ngo5我ge3嘅go4哥go1哥
He is my older brother
keoi5佢m4唔hai6係ngo5我ge3嘅ze4姐ze1姐
She is not my older sister
Recap
A is B
To say who or what something is, put **係** between the two parts: A 係 B. For the negative, use **唔係**. It's the equals sign of Cantonese.