Understanding the Basic Structure of Cantonese Sentences
The Sentence Structure in Cantonese
Just like in English, sentences in Cantonese have a basic structure, but it's slightly different. Understanding the core structure will help you form sentences effectively.
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) Pattern
Cantonese typically follows the Subject-Verb-Object pattern, similar to English. For example:
我食蘋果。
I eat apples.
她看書。
She reads books.
Adding Time Expressions
Time expressions usually appear at the beginning of a sentence or right after the subject to indicate when the action occurs. For instance:
今日，我上學。
Today, I go to school.
她明日會睇電影。
She will see a movie tomorrow.
Using Location
In Cantonese, location elements often come after the subject or at the end of the sentence, especially when defining where actions happen.
我喺公司做嘢。
I work at the office.
我哋喺屋企學習。
We study at home.
Incorporating Questions
Formulating questions involves adjusting the sentence slightly by using specific question words or changing intonation.
你住喺邊度？
Where do you live?
你食咩？
What do you eat?
Negation in Cantonese Sentences
Negativity is mostly expressed using the word 唔 (m) before verbs, which is akin to saying 'not' in English.
我唔食蘋果。
I do not eat apples.
佢唔知。
He does not know.
Further Reading
- Writing Cantonese: Omniglot
An overview of Cantonese writing systems and characters.
- Cantonese Sentence Order Tips
A guide to understanding and mastering sentence order in Cantonese.
- Cantonese Grammar Resources
Comprehensive resources for learning Cantonese grammar.
- Cantonese Pronunciation Guide
Learn the basics of Cantonese pronunciation with audio examples.
- Vocabulary List by Topic
Expand your vocabulary with organized topic-based lists.