Lesson 11.1: Grammar Focus

1

因為

jan1 wai6

Because

Structure: Sentence A，因為 (jan1 wai6) + reason (sentence B)

Examples

我鍾意秋天，因為天氣好舒服。

ngo5 zung1 ji3 cau1 tin1, jan1 wai6 tin1 hei3 hou2 syu1 fuk6

I like autumn because the weather is very comfortable.

我唔鍾意冬天，因為好凍。

ngo5 m4 zung1 ji3 dung1 tin1, jan1 wai6 hou2 dung3

I don't like winter because it's very cold.

我唔鍾意夏天，因為好熱同好焗。

ngo5 m4 zung1 ji3 haa6 tin1, jan1 wai6 hou2 jit6 tung4 hou2 guk6

I don't like summer because it's very hot and stuffy.

Word order: 因為 (jan1 wai6) = because. It introduces the reason AFTER the main statement. 我鍾意春天，因為天氣好舒服 (ngo5 zung1 ji3 ceon1 tin1, jan1 wai6 tin1 hei3 hou2 syu1 fuk6) = I like spring because the weather is very comfortable.

2

就

zau6

Then / Right away / So

Structure: Action A，就 (zau6) + action B — links two actions in sequence

Examples

你直行轉左就到喇。

nei5 zik6 haang4 zyun3 zo2 zau6 dou3 laa3

Go straight and turn left, then you'll arrive.

我放工之後，就去唐人街。

ngo5 fong3 gung1 zi1 hau6, zau6 heoi3 tong4 jan4 gaai1

After work, I then go to Chinatown.

落雨就搭地鐵啦。

lok6 jyu5 zau6 daap3 dei6 tit3 laa1

If it rains, (then) take the MTR.

Usage: 就 (zau6) connects two events in sequence — "and then" or "so". Often used with time words: 之後 (zi1 hau6) = after. 食完飯就去行山 (sik6 jyun4 faan6 zau6 heoi3 haang4 saan1) = After eating, we'll go hiking.

3

如果…就…

jyu4 gwo2… zau6…

If… then…

Structure: 如果 (jyu4 gwo2) + condition，就 (zau6) + result

Examples

如果落雨，就唔踢波。

jyu4 gwo2 lok6 jyu5, zau6 m4 tek3 bo1

If it rains, then we won't play football.

如果天氣好，就去行山。

jyu4 gwo2 tin1 hei3 hou2, zau6 heoi3 haang4 saan1

If the weather is good, then go hiking.

如果落雨，就唔去喇。

jyu4 gwo2 lok6 jyu5, zau6 m4 heoi3 laa1

If it rains, then we won't go.

Pattern: 如果 (jyu4 gwo2) = if. 就 (zau6) = then. 如果…就… = if…then… This is the standard conditional structure. 如果天氣好，就坐天星小輪 (jyu4 gwo2 tin1 hei3 hou2, zau6 co5 tin1 sing1 siu2 leon4) = If the weather is good, then take the Star Ferry.

4

好

hou2

Very / Good (intensifier)

Structure: 好 (hou2) + adjective — intensifies the adjective ("very")

Examples

今日天氣好舒服。

gam1 jat6 tin1 hei3 hou2 syu1 fuk6

The weather today is very comfortable.

中國菜好好食呀。

zung1 gwok3 coi3 hou2 hou2 sik6 aa3

Chinese food is very tasty.

坐火車好快呀！

co5 fo2 ce1 hou2 faai3 aa3

Taking the train is very fast!

好 as intensifier: 好 (hou2) before an adjective = "very". 好熱 (hou2 jit6) = very hot. 好凍 (hou2 dung3) = very cold. 好舒服 (hou2 syu1 fuk6) = very comfortable. 好好食 (hou2 hou2 sik6) = very tasty (好好 = very very!).

5

冇咁

mou5 gam3

Not as… (comparative)

Structure: 冇咁 (mou5 gam3) + adjective — "not as [adjective]"

Examples

今日天氣冇咁熱，好舒服。

gam1 jat6 tin1 hei3 mou5 gam3 jit6, hou2 syu1 fuk6

Today's weather is not as hot, very comfortable.

呢個咖啡冇咁好飲。

ni1 go3 gaa3 fe1 mou5 gam3 hou2 jam2

This coffee isn't as good to drink.

我鍾意香港冬天，冇咁凍。

ngo5 zung1 ji3 hoeng1 gong2 dung1 tin1, mou5 gam3 dung3

I like Hong Kong's winter, not as cold.

Compare: 好熱 (hou2 jit6) = very hot. 冇咁熱 (mou5 gam3 jit6) = not as hot. 涼啲 (loeng4 di1) = a bit cooler (see GP6). Together: 今日冇咁熱，涼啲 = Today is not as hot, a bit cooler.

6

啲

di1

A bit more / A little (comparative)

Structure: Adjective + 啲 (di1) — "a little more [adjective]" / slight comparison

Examples

今日涼啲，舒服啲。

gam1 jat6 loeng4 di1, syu1 fuk6 di1

Today is a bit cooler and more comfortable.

呢個星期凍啲，上個星期冇咁凍。

ni1 go3 sing1 kei4 dung3 di1, soeng6 go3 sing1 kei4 mou5 gam3 dung3

This week is a bit colder; last week wasn't as cold.

秋天天氣涼啲，冇咁焗。

cau1 tin1 tin1 hei3 loeng4 di1, mou5 gam3 guk6

Autumn weather is a bit cooler, not as stuffy.

Compare GP5 vs GP6: 冇咁熱 (mou5 gam3 jit6) = not as hot (downward comparison). 涼啲 (loeng4 di1) = a bit cooler (slight positive comparison). Both are used together: 今日冇咁熱，涼啲 (gam1 jat6 mou5 gam3 jit6, loeng4 di1) = Today is not as hot, a bit cooler.

CantonesePath A1 Grammar Focus — Lesson 11