View source for Cantonese grammar

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{{Refimprove|date=May 2014}}
{{Cantonese language}}
'''[[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]]''' is an [[analytic language]] in which the arrangement of words in a sentence is important to its meaning.  A basic sentence is in the form of [[subject–verb–object|SVO]], i.e. a [[subject (grammar)|subject]] is followed by a [[verb]] then by an [[object (grammar)|object]], though this order is often violated because Cantonese is a [[topic-prominent language]].  Unlike [[synthetic language]]s, seldom do words indicate [[time]], [[gender]] and [[plural|number]] by inflection.  Instead, these concepts are expressed through adverbs, aspect markers, and particles, or are deduced from the context.  Different particles are added to a [[Sentence (linguistics)|sentence]] to further specify its status or [[Intonation (linguistics)|intonation]].

A verb itself indicates no [[Grammatical tense|tense]]. The time can be explicitly shown with time-indicating adverbs. Certain exceptions exist, however, according to the pragmatic interpretation of a verb's meaning. Additionally, an optional [[Grammatical aspect|aspect]] particle can be appended to a verb to indicate the state of an event. Appending interrogative or exclamative particles to a sentence turns a sentence into a question or shows the attitudes of the speaker.

==Verbal aspect==
In contrast to many European languages, Cantonese verbs are marked for aspect rather than tense—that is, whether an event has begun, is ongoing, or has been completed. Tense—where an event occurs within time, i.e. past, present, future—is specified through the use of time adverbs. In addition, verbal complements may convey aspectual distinctions, indicating whether an event is just beginning, is continuing, or at completion, and also the effect of the verb on its object(s).

Aspect particles are usually treated as suffixes bound to the verb. Aspect particles can also be added to an adjective and function as a verb "be (adjective)".

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Aspect
! Marker
! width="30%"| Usage
! Example
|-
| Perfective
| {{fs interlinear|咗|zo2|}}
| To emphasise a completed activity the result of which still applies to the present situation
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue
 |我 喺 香港 住咗 一 年
 |ngo5 hai2 {hoeng1 gong2} {zyu6 zo2} jat1 nin4
 |I at/in {Hong Kong} live-PFV one year
 |I have been living in Hong Kong for a year (and still live here)}}
|-
| Experiential
| {{fs interlinear|過|gwo3|}}
| To emphasise an activity completed in the indeterminate past which no longer applies to the present situation
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue
 |我 喺 香港 住過 一 年
 |ngo5 hai2 {hoeng1 gong2} {zyu6gwo3} jat1 nin4
 |I at/in {Hong Kong} live-EXP one year
 |I lived in Hong Kong for a year (but am now elsewhere)}}
|-
| Progressive
| {{fs interlinear|緊|gan2|}}
| To emphasise a dynamic activity which may undergo a change of state
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue
 |我 著緊 衫
 |ngo5 {zoek3 gan2} saam1
 |I wear-PROG clothes
 |I am putting on clothes}}
|-
| Durative
| {{fs interlinear|住|zyu6|}}
| To emphasise a continuous activity without a change of state
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue
 |我 著住 衫
 |ngo5 {zoek3 zyu6} saam1
 |I wear-DUR clothes
 |I am wearing clothes}}
|-
| Delimitative
| {{fs interlinear|吓|haa5|}}
| To emphasise an activity of brief duration
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue|abbreviations=DEL:delimitative aspect
 |等 我 著吓
 |dang2 ngo5 {zoek3 haa5}
 |Let me wear-DEL
 |Let me wear it for a while}}
|-
| Habitual
| {{fs interlinear|開|hoi1|}}
| To emphasise an activity protracted over a period of time to the point that it has become characteristic or habitual
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue|abbreviations=SFP:sentence-final particle
 |我 做開 鐘點 嘅
 |ngo5 {zou6 hoi1} {zung1 dim2} ge3
 |I do-HAB part-time SFP
 |I normally work part-time}}
|-
|Inchoative
| {{fs interlinear|起 上 嚟|hei2 soeng5 lai4|}}
| To emphasise the beginning of an activity
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue
 |個   阿咇        突然之間              喊起上嚟
 |go3 {aa3 bit6} {dat6 jin4 zi1 gaan1} {haam3 hei2 soeng5 lai4}
 |CL baby suddenly cry-INCH
 |The baby suddenly began crying}}
|-
|Continuative
| {{fs interlinear|落 去|lok6 heoi3}}
| To emphasise the continuation of an activity
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue|abbreviations=SFP:sentence-final particle
 |你    唔  使         再    講落去             喇
 |nei5  m4  si2/sai2  zoi3  {gong2 lok6 heoi3} laa3
 |you NEG need again speak-CONT SFP
 |You don't have to go on speaking}}
|-
|Returning
|{{Fs interlinear|返|faan2}}
|To emphasise the return of the "supposed state".
Meanings can include: "continue a paused action" or "return to" (Example 1)

Note: When added to an adjective, it can also function as a verb of "becoming (adjective) again". (Example 2)
| {{fs interlinear|lang=yue|abbreviations=
 |畀 返 啲 錢 我
 |bei2 faan1 di1 cin2 ngo5
 |Give back those money me|Give me the money back}}{{fs interlinear|個 天 未 好 返|go3 tin1 mei6 hou2 faan1|the sky {not yet} good back|The weather is not yet well|lang=yue}}
|-
|}

==Final particles==
{{close paraphrasing|section|source=https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/essays/cantonese_particles.htm|free=no|date=June 2024}}
Cantonese has many [[sentence-final particle|final particles]] to change the moods or sometimes even the meaning of an utterance. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Cantonese Final Particles |url=https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/essays/cantonese_particles.htm |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk}}</ref> They can also be added to an adjective and function as a verb "be (adjective)". 
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Particle !! Usage !! Example
|-
| {{fs interlinear|呀|aa3|}}
| Used in neutral questions.  Also used to soften the tone of affirmative statements so they don't sound as abrupt.
| 你去邊處呀? Where are you going? 我返屋企呀 I'm going home.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|嘅|ge3|}}
| Used in assertions where something is emphasized (usually 係 hai6 is in front of what is being emphasized). Pronouncing it as ge2 adds a sense of puzzlement about the situation.  This is equivalent to the Mandarin/written Chinese 的 dik1.|| 我係今日返屋企嘅 I'm going home today.  (the "today" is emphasized)
|-
| {{fs interlinear|㗎|gaa3|}}
| Contraction of the combination 嘅呀 ge3 aa3.
| 你係幾時返來㗎? When are you coming back?  (the "when" is emphasized)
|-
| {{fs interlinear|啦|laa1|}}
| Used in requests and imperatives.  This is one particle where leaving it out could make the sentence sound rude.  This is equivalent to the Mandarin/written Chinese sentence final 吧 baa6.
| 俾我啦 Give it to me [please].
|-
|{{fs interlinear|喇|laa3|}}
| Indicates a change of situation or a past event that has occurred and adds a sense of current relevance to the statement.  This is equivalent to the Mandarin/written Chinese sentence final 了 liu5.  Also used for polite refusal.
| 佢返咗屋企嘞  He went home [already].  
唔使喇，唔該  No need, thank you.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|嘞|laak3|}}
| (same as 喇 laa3)
| 
|-
| {{fs interlinear|囉|lo1|}}
| Indicates a suggestion or conclusion that should be obvious (usually occurs with 咪 mai6).
| 我冇車咪返唔到屋企囉 Without a car, [then of course] I am unable to go home.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咯|lo3|}}
| Indicates an agreement with the previous speaker.
| 好,我跟你返屋企咯 Okay, I will follow you home.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|啫|ze1/zek1|}}
| Can be used to mean "only" or "that's all," or used to play down the significance of the situation.
| 佢返一日啫 He's only coming back for one day.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咋|zaa3|}}
| Contraction of the combination 啫呀/嗻呀 ze1 aa3.
| 佢返一日咋 He's only coming back for one day.  (slightly harsher tone than 佢返一日啫)
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咋|zaa4|}}
| Contraction of the combination 啫吖/嗻吖 ze1 aa4.
| 佢返一日咋? He's only coming back for one day?  [Only one day?  I wish it was more.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|添|tim1|}}
| Can be used to mean "also," "too," or "as well" in a sentence (usually occurs with 重 zung6).
| 我重要返屋企添 I still have to go home as well.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|未|mei6|}}
| Used in questions asking whether an action has been done yet.
| 佢返來未? Has he come back yet?
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咩|me1|}}
| Used in questions expressing surprise or disbelief.
| 佢今日返來咩? He's coming back today?  [Really?  I wasn't aware of this.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|呢|ne1|}}
| Used in follow up questions or when a question is repeated but for a different subject.  Also used for rhetorical questions where an answer is not expected (especially when the speaker is wondering to themself).
| 佢返咗來,你返唔返來呢? He came back, are you coming back?
佢點解返屋企呢? I wonder why he's going home.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|嗎|maa3|}}
| Used to change a statement into a neutral question.  This is used more often in Mandarin/written Chinese, but can still be heard in Cantonese.
| 你返屋企嗎? Are you coming home?
|-
| {{fs interlinear|先|sin1|}}
| Can be used to mean "first" in a sentence.  In questions, it may convey a sense of impatience.
| 我哋等佢返來先 We'll wait for him to come back first.
你返唔返來先? Are you coming back or not?  [Answer me quickly.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|吓|haa2|}}
| Used to soften an instruction, similar to adding "okay?" in English.
| 記得買奶吓 Remember to buy milk, okay?
|-
| {{fs interlinear|呵|ho2|}}
| Used to check whether a statement is correct, similar to adding "right?" in English.
| 你買咗奶呵? You bought the milk, right?
|-
| {{fs interlinear|吖|aa1|}}
| Can indicate enthusiastic consent or a sarcastic retort.  Can also be used like 喇 laa1.
| 好吖! 我跟你返屋企吖! Okay!  I'll follow you home!
我點返屋企吖? How am I supposed to be able to go home?  (sarcastically)
返來吖 Come back [please].
|-
| {{fs interlinear|呀|aa4|}}
| Used in questions expecting agreement, sometimes with a sense of disapproval.
| 你返屋企吖? You're going home?  [But really I don't want you to.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|嘎|gaa4|}}
| Contraction of the combination 嘅吖 ge3 aa4.
| 你係今日返屋企㗎? You're going home today? [But really I don't want you to.  Can't you wait until tomorrow?]   (the "today" is emphasized)
|-
| {{fs interlinear|啩|gwaa3|}}
| Indicates uncertainty in a statement.
| 佢返咗屋企啩 He went home [but I'm not completely sure of this].
|-
| {{fs interlinear|喎|wo3|}}
| Indicates information is being reported.  Pronouncing it as wo5 adds the indication that the information is second-hand and the speaker may not agree with it.
| 爸爸叫你返屋企喎 Father is telling you to come home.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|噃|bo3|}}
| Indicates that the sentence is a reminder. Also used as a realization. 
| 揸車返屋企好快噃 It is quick to go home by car.  (used in the context where the person being addressed may not have thought about driving home)
揸車返屋企都好快噃 It is pretty quick to go home by car. [I didn't know that]
|}

Final particles may sometimes combine to convey multiple moods. However, not all combinations are possible. For example, 嘅 ge3 must be used before any other particles, whereas question particles (such as 呀 aa3, 咩 me1, 呢 ne1, and 嗎 maa3) must be used after all others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cantonese Final Particles |url=https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/essays/cantonese_particles.htm |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=𠺢嘛,加嘛,㗎嘛 - 廣東話解釋 {{!}} 粵典 |url=https://words.hk/zidin/%F0%A0%BA%A2%E5%98%9B |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=粵典 words.hk}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Particle !! Usage !! Example
|-
| {{fs interlinear|呀 嘛|aa1 maa3|}}
| Used in response to a question where the answer is obvious.
| 佢返屋企呀嘛! He's going home!  [So of course he can't go to the movies with us.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|啦 嘛|laa1 maa3|}}
| Contraction of the combination 喇呀嘛 laa3 aa1 maa3.	
| 佢返咗屋企啦嘛! He went home!  [So of course he can't be here right now.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咖 嘛|gaa1 maa3|}}
| Contraction of 嘅 and 呀嘛; used at the end of a sentence to express that it is something that the listener/reader should be aware of, or something that they are expected to agree with
| 佢傻咖嘛，使乜理佢唧? He's crazy. [You know already] Why bother with him?
你大條道理咖嘛，唔使怕 You definitely have reason on your side. You needn't be afraid.
|-
| {{fs interlinear|咋 嘛|zaa1 maa3|}}
| Contraction of the combination 啫呀嘛 ze1 aa1 maa3. 
| 佢返一日咋嘛! He's only coming back for a day!  [So of course he won't have time to visit all of us.]
|-
| {{fs interlinear|之 嘛|zi1 maa3|}}
| Can be used to mean "only". Convey a sense of defensiveness.
| 我返屋企之嘛 I'm only going home.  [...and nothing else.  What else are you expecting from me?]
|}

== Pronouns ==
{{See also|Cantonese pronouns}}
Cantonese uses the following pronouns, which like in many other Sinitic languages, function as both nominative (English: I, he, we) and accusative (me, him, us):

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! 
! singular
! plural
|-
! 1st person
| {{fs interlinear|我|ngo5|I / me}}
| {{fs interlinear|我 哋|ngo5 dei6|we / us}}
|-
! 2nd person
| {{fs interlinear|你|nei5|you (singular)}}
| {{fs interlinear|你 哋|nei5 dei6|you (plural)}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{fs interlinear|佢|keoi5|he / she / it}}
| {{fs interlinear|佢 哋|keoi5 dei6|they / them}}
|}

== Copula ("to be") ==

States and qualities are generally expressed using [[stative verbs]] that do not require the verb "to be". For example, to say "I am hungry", one would say 我肚餓 ''ngo5 tou5 ngo6'' (literally: I stomach hungry).

With noun complements, the verb 係 ''hai6'' serves as the verb "to be".

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|number=ex:
|尋   日   '''係'''    中    秋   節。
|cam4 jat6 '''hai6''' zung1 cau1 zit3
|Yesterday was [the] Mid-Autumn festival}}

Another use of 係 is in cleft constructions for emphasis, much like the English construction "It's ...  that ...".  The sentence particle 嘅 ''ge3'' is often found along with it.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|number=ex:
|佢 '''係''' 完 全 唔 識 講 廣 東 話 嘅。
|keoi5 '''hai6''' jyun4 cyun4 m4 sik1 gong2 Gwong2 dung1 waa6*2 ge
|"(It is the case that) s/he doesn't know Cantonese at all."}}

To indicate location, the words 喺 ''hai2'' (a "lazy" variation is 响 ''hoeng2'') which are collectively known as the locatives or sometimes coverbs in Chinese linguistics, are used to express "to be at":

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|number=ex:
|我   而   家   '''喺'''   圖   書   館。
|ngo5 ji4 gaa1 '''hai2''' tou4 syu1 gun2
|I am at the library now}}
: (Here 而家 ''ji4 gaa1'' means "now".)

== Negations ==

Many negation words start with the sound m- in Cantonese; for example, 唔 ''m4'' "not", 冇 ''mou5'' "to not have (done sth)", 未 ''mei6'' "not yet". Verbs are negated by adding the character 唔 ''m4'' in front of it. For example:

{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|我 食 得 花生|ngo5 sik6 dak1 {faa1 sang1}|1SG {to eat} can peanut|"I can eat peanuts"}}
|<math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|我 '''唔''' 食 得 花生|ngo5 '''m4''' sik6 dak1 {faa1 sang1}|1SG '''NEG''' {to eat} can peanut|"I can't eat peanuts"}}
|}

The exception is the word 有 ''jau5'' 'to have', which turns into 冇 ''mou5'' 'to not have' without the use of 唔 ''m4''.

The negative imperative is formed by prefixing 唔好 ''m4 hou2'' (also pronounced ''mou2'') or 咪 ''mai5'' in front of the verb:

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|唔 好 睇 戲
|m4 hou2 tai2 hei3
|"Don't watch movies"}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|咪 睇 戲
|mai5 tai2 hei3
|"Don't watch movies"}}

In contrast to the examples of sentential negation above where the entire sentence is negated, 唔 ''m4'' can be used lexically to negate a single word.  The negated word often differs slightly in meaning from the original word; that is, this lexical negation is a kind of derivation.  Evidence for this is that they can be used with the perfective aspect particle 咗 ''zo2'', which is not possible with sententially negated verbs.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|見 {} '''唔'''見
|gin3 {} {'''m4''' gin3}
|"see" <math>\longrightarrow</math> "lose"|}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|記得 {} '''唔'''記得
|{gei3 dak1} {} {'''m4''' gei3 dak1}
|"remember" <math>\longrightarrow</math> "forget"|}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|錯 {} '''唔'''錯 / '''冇'''錯
|co3 {} {'''m4''' co3} / {'''mou5''' co3}
|"wrong" <math>\longrightarrow</math> {"pretty good; not bad"} / "right"|}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|我 唔 見 咗 我 本 書
|ngo5 m4 gin3 zo2 ngo5 bun2 syu1
|"I lost my book"}}

is perfectly acceptable, but

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|* 我 唔 食 咗 嘢
|{} ngo5 m4 sik6 zo2 je5
|"I did not eat"}}

is ungrammatical. (The correct expression should be 我冇食嘢 ''ngo5 mou5 sik6 je5'': 我(I)冇(did not)食(eat)嘢(something/anything), but actually with an emphasis on not doing an action, as it is the negation of 我有食嘢 ''ngo5 yau5 sik6 je5'': 我(I)有(did)食(eat)嘢(something/anything).)

== Questions ==
Questions are not formed by changing the word order as in English. Sentence final particles and certain interrogative constructions are used instead.

=== Yes–no questions ===
There are two ways to form a yes–no questions. One way is by the use of final particle and/or intonation alone. The question particle 呀 ''aa4''  indicates surprise or disapproval. It tends to presuppose a positive answer.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|吓? 你 下 個 禮 拜 放 假 呀?
|Haa2? Nei5 haa6 go3 lai5 baai3 fong3 gaa3 aa4?
|You are going on leave next week!? (The questioner is surprised that you are going on leave, or doesn't agree that you should.)}}

The particle 咩 ''me1'' is exclusively interrogative, indicating surprise and used to check the truth of an unexpected state of affairs.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|乜 你 唔 知 嘅 咩?
|Mat1 nei5 m4 zi1 ge3 me1?
|(You mean) you don't know?}}

A question may be indicated by a high rising intonation alone at the end of a question. (This intonation can be considered a nonsyllabic final particle indicating a question.) This intonation pattern usually modifies or exaggerates the basic tone of the last syllable. This type of question is used especially for echo, where the questioner repeats a statement out of surprise.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|「我 唔 見 咗 條 鎖 匙」 「咩 話? 你 唔 見 咗 條 鎖 匙?」
|"ngo5 m4 gin3 zo2 tiu4 so2 si4" "me1e5 waa6? nei5 m4 gin3 zo2 tiu4 so2 si4"
|"I lost the key." "What? You lost the key?" (The last syllable of 鎖匙 ''so2 si4'' "key" is pronounced longer, first finishing the low falling tone, then rising at the end like the high rising tone.)}}

The other way to form yes–no questions uses a special construction in which the head of the predicate, say ''X'', is replaced by ''X-not-X''. Final particles may be used in addition.

*For example
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|你 識 講 廣東話|nei5 sik1 gong2 {Gwong2 dung1 waa2}|you know speak Cantonese|You know how to speak Cantonese.}}
|<math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|你 識唔識 講 廣東話?|nei5 {sik1 m4 sik1} gong2 {Gwong2 dung1 waa2}|you {know not know} speak Cantonese|Do you know how speak Cantonese?}}
|}

*As the negative form of 有 is 冇, the corresponding yes–no question uses the form 有冇:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|有 紅綠燈.|jau5 {hung4 luk6 dang1}|have red-green-light|There is a traffic light.}}
| <math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|有冇 紅綠燈?|{jau5 mou5} {hung4 luk6 dang1}|{have not have} red-green-light|Is there a traffic light?}}
|}

*As for 係 ''hai6'' ("to be"), the yes–no question often uses the contraction 係咪 ''hai6 mai6'' (note that 咪 ''mai6'' is not the prohibitive 咪 ''mai2'') instead of 係唔係 ''hai6 m4 hai6''.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|佢 係 加拿大人.|keoi5 hai6 {gaa1 naa4 daai6 jan4*2}|(s)he is Canada-person|(S)he is a Canadian}}
|<math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|佢 係咪 加拿大人?|keoi5 {hai6 mai6} {gaa1 naa4 daai6 jan4*2}|(s)he {is isn't} Canada-person|Is (s)he a Canadian?}}
|}

*With multisyllable verbs, only the first syllable is repeated:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|你 鍾意 年糕.|nei5 {zung1 ji3} {nin4 gou1}|you like year-cake|You like new-year cakes}}
| <math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|你 鍾唔鍾意 年糕?|nei5 {zung1 m4 zung1 ji3} {nin4 gou1}|you {like not like} year-cake|Do you like new-year cakes?}}
|}

*A special case is when a question asking whether something has occurred is formed. In a negative sentence, the adverb 未 ''mei6'' should precede the verb to indicate that the event has not yet occurred. In yes–no questions, however, 未 appears at the end of the question (but before the final particle, if exists):
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| {{fs interlinear|你 去過 德國.|nei5 {heoi3 gwo3} {Dak1 gwok3}|you go-EXP Germany|You have been to Germany}}
| <math>\longrightarrow</math>
| {{fs interlinear|你 去過 德國 未?|nei5 {heoi3 gwo3} {Dak1 gwok3} mei6*2|you go-EXP Germany not-yet|Have you ever been to Germany?
|c1= (the word 去過 after 未 is omitted to avoid repetition.)
|c2= (tone changes to indicate a question.)}}
|}
This form of yes–no questions looks less similar to the "X-not-X" type, but it is still considered in this type, because the "X" after "not" is omitted. For example, the example question above can be expanded as 你去過德國未去過? ''nei5 heoi3 gwo3 Dak1 gwok3 mei6 heoi3 gwo3''.

A syntax of yes–no question in the form "X-not-X" is actually a contraction of a combination of syntax of an affirmative sentence and the syntax of a negative sentence.

=== Interrogative words ===
*The interrogative words are as follows:

{|class="wikitable"
! Interrogative !! Pronunciation !! English equivalent
|-
| 邊個   || bin1 go3  || who
|-
| 乜(嘢) / 咩  || mat1 (je5) / me1e5 || what
|-
| 邊度 / 邊處 || bin1 dou6 / bin1 syu3 || where
|-
| 幾時   || gei2 si4  || when
|-
| 點解  || dim2 gaai2 || why
|-
| 點 ||  dim2 || how about
|-
| 點(樣) ||  dim2 (joeng6*2) || how (in what manner)
|-
| 幾 || gei2 || how (adjective)
|-
| 幾多 ||   gei2 do1 || how many/much
|}
Questions use exactly the same word order as in statements. For example: 你係邊個? ''nei5 hai6 bin1 go3'' "who are you?" (literally "you are who"), 你幾時去邊度見邊個呀? ''nei5 gei2 si4 heoi3 bin1 dou6 gin3 bin1 go aa3'' "When will you go? Where will you go and who will you meet?" (literally "you when go where meet who"). Note that more than one interrogative words can be put in a single sentence at a same time.

== Demonstratives ==

The proximal demonstrative ("this"), is 呢 ''ni1'' / ''nei1'', or more frequently in fast speech, 依 ''ji1'' (+ measure word). For example:

:呢本書 ''ni1/nei1 bun2 syu1'' "this book"

:依本書 ''ji1 bun2 syu1'' "this book"

The distal demonstrative ("that") is 嗰 ''go2''. For example:

:嗰本書 ''go2 bun2 syu1'' "that book"

Between the demonstrative and its noun, a certain word to link them must be used, whether a corresponding classifier for the noun for singular count nouns or 啲 ''di1'' for plural count nouns and mass nouns:

:呢架車 ''ni1/nei1 gaa3 ce1'' "this car"

:呢啲車 ''ni1/nei1 di1 ce1'' "these cars"

:嗰啲水 ''go2 di1 seoi2'' "that water"

== Possessives ==

*For singular nouns, the word 嘅 ''ge3'' is roughly equivalent to English " 's":
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|爸 爸 嘅 屋 企
|baa1*4 baa1 ge3 uk1 kei2
|"father's house"}}

*Plural nouns take 啲 ''di1'':
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|你 啲 動 物
|nei5 di1 dung6 mat6
|"your animals"}}

N.B.: 啲 ''di1'' is a very versatile word in Cantonese, besides pluralizing certain phrases, it can also mean "a little/few", e.g. 一啲 ''jat1 di1'' "a little", or 早啲 ''zou2 di1'' "earlier" (literally: early + (intensifier)).

*Possessive pronouns (i.e. "mine", "his", "hers") are formed by adding 嘅 ''ge3'' after the pronoun.
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|係 佢 嘅 呀!
|hai6 keoi2 ge3 aa3
|"It's his!"<br>(呀 ''aa3'' is a particle used to end affirmative statements)}}

However, in the case where there's an implied plural noun, one does not say:
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|* 係 佢 啲 呀!
|{} hai6 keoi5 di1 aa3
|"It's his!"}}

For example:
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|呢 啲 書 係 邊 個 嘅 呀？
|ni1/nei1 di1 syu1 hai6 bin1 go3 ge3 aa3
|"Whose books are these?"}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|係 佢 嘅 呀!
|hai6 keoi5 ge3 aa3
|"It's his! [referring to his books]"}}

嘅呀 ''ge3 aa3'' is usually shortened in speech into one syllable, 㗎/嘎 ''gaa3''.

*One could also say:
{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|係 佢 啲 書 嚟 㗎！
|hai6 keoi5 di1 syu1 lei4 gaa3
|"It's his books!"}}

Both of these are generic possessives.

== Part of speech ==
The "part of speech" (POS) in Cantonese is different from English. Usually, a word can be used in different POS, without any changes. Example: 跑步 (Meaning: running), can be either verb or noun.

你可以喺公園跑步 (You can run at the park) [跑步 act as a verb] 

跑步係我嘅興趣 (Running is my hobby) [跑步 act as a noun]

Moreover, particles may also change the POS.

E.g. 碗湯係熱嘅 OR 碗湯熱嘅 means: the bowl of soup is hot 

But 碗湯係熱  means: the bowl of soup == (the concept of) hot, which does not make sense. (Since with 係, the word after it is understood as a noun but not adjective. 熱嘅 should be used, as the POS of 熱嘅 would only be adjective.)

This concept is similar in Mandarin Chinese, replacing 係 with 是, and replacing 嘅 with 的.

To alter the mood or lead other focuses, other final particles can also be used to substitute the particle 嘅, like 㗎.

==Differences from Mandarin grammar==
The following Cantonese grammatical points are not found in [[Mandarin Chinese]].

===Word order===
The [[direct object]] precedes the [[indirect object]] when using the verb 畀 ''bei2'' "to give". In Mandarin verbs of giving, an indirect object precedes a direct object.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|畀 嗰 本 書 我
|bei2 go2 bun2 syu1 ngo5
|give that CL book 1SG
|"Give that book to me."}}

compared to Mandarin

{{fs interlinear|lang=cmn|indent=3
|給 我 這 本 書
|gěi wǒ zhè běn shū
|give 1SG this CL book
|"Give me the book."}}

===Morphology===
The suffix used for the plural of pronouns, 哋 ''dei6'', cannot associate with human nouns, unlike its similar Mandarin counterpart 們 ''-men''. Mandarin 學生們 ''xuéshengmen'' "the students" would be rendered in Cantonese as:

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|(啲) 學生
|(di1) {hok6 saang1}
|(CL) students
|"(the) students"}}

While the [[vocative case|vocative]] use of 學生們 ''xuéshengmen'' "students" would be rendered in Cantonese as:

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|各位 學生
|{gok3 wai2} {hok6 saang1}
|everyone students
|"Students!"}}

There are words in Mandarin which often require the suffixes 子 ''-zi'' or 頭 ''-tou'', but they are normally optional in Cantonese, e.g. Mandarin 鞋子 ''xiézi'' "shoe" and 石頭 ''shítou'' "rock" can be 鞋 ''haai4'' and 石 ''sek6'' in Cantonese.

===Classifiers===
[[Chinese classifier|Classifiers]] can be used instead of the possessive 嘅 ''ge3'' to indicate possession of a single object. Classifiers cannot be used this way in Mandarin.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|佢 本 書
|keoi5 bun2 syu1
|3SG CL book
|"his book"}}

Classifiers in both Cantonese and Mandarin can serve to individualize a noun, giving it a singular meaning (or plural in the case 啲 ''di1''). However, such a construction in Mandarin will be of indefinite reference, unless a demonstrative (e.g. 這 ''zhè'' "this") or the universal [[quantifier (linguistics)|quantifier]] (每 ''měi'' "every") is present. Furthermore, there are great limitations on using this construction in subject position in Mandarin. In Cantonese, these restrictions do not exist.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|架 車 撻 唔 著
|gaa3 ce1 taat3 m4 zoek6
|CL car start not burn
|"The car won't start," and it cannot be interpreted as "the cars".}}

===Comparison===
Adjective comparison in Cantonese is formed by adding the marker 過 ''gwo3'' after an adjective. The adjective-marker construction serves as a transitive verb which takes the standard of comparison as an object.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|佢 高 過 我
|keoi5 gou1 gwo3 ngo5
|3SG tall COMP 1SG
|"He is taller than me."}}

In Standard Mandarin, comparison is marked by adding 比 ''bǐ'', which serves in an adverbial phrase, leaving the adjective itself unchanged. The sentence above is translated into Mandarin as:

{{fs interlinear|lang=cmn|indent=3
|他 比 我 高
|tā bǐ wǒ gāo
|3SG COMP 1SG tall
|"He is taller than me."}}

Alternatively the plural marker 啲 ''di1'' alone (without the numeral 一 ''jat1'') can be used use as the sole complement of the verbal adjective.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|佢 高 啲
|keoi5 gou1 di1
|3SG tall COMP
|"He is taller."}}

===Aspect markers===
Cantonese has a dedicated [[habitual aspect]] marker, 開 ''hoi1'', with no similar counterpart in Mandarin.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|我 住 開 香港
|ngo5 zyu6 hoi1 {Hoeng1 Gong2}
|1SG live HAB {Hong Kong}
|"I've been living in Hong Kong."}}

===Passives===
In Cantonese, there must always be an agent in a passive, while in Mandarin this isn't the case. If there's no known or specific agent, Cantonese must at least use 人 ''jan4'' "someone" as a dummy agent.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3
|{筷 子} 畀 '''人''' 用 咗
|{faai3 zi2} bei2 '''jan4''' jung6 zo2
|chopsticks by '''person''' use PRF
|"the chopsticks have been used" (and not *筷子畀用咗 *''faai3 zi2 bei2 jung6 zo2'')}}

===Sentence particles===
It is possible to stack various of such particles one after the other, while Mandarin is restricted to sentence-final 了 and one particle.

{{fs interlinear|lang=yue|indent=3|abbreviations=COS:change of state
|你 食 咗 '''啦''' '''吓?'''
|nei5 sik6 zo2 '''laa3''' '''haa5'''
|2SG eat PRF '''COS''' '''Q'''
|"You already ate, right?"}}

===Pronouns===
There is no gender distinction between the third person singulars of he, she and it in spoken or written Cantonese (佢); however in written Cantonese of formal register, which is similar to Mandarin, male and female may be distinguished with two different characters, 他 for male and 她 for female,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Matthews |first=Stephen |title=Cantonese: A Comprehensive Grammar |last2=Yip |first2=Virginia |date=2011 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780415471312 |edition=2nd |location=London |page=92 |language=en}}</ref> as well as 它 for inanimate objects (including plants), 牠 for (non-human) animals, and 祂 for god(s), which all have the same pronunciation.

==See also==

*[[Chinese grammar]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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{{language grammars}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantonese Grammar}}
[[Category:Cantonese language|Grammar]]
[[Category:Sino-Tibetan grammars]]