Understanding Cantonese Prepositions: A Guide for English Learners

What are Prepositions in Cantonese?

Prepositions are words or phrases used to indicate the relationship between elements in a sentence, such as location, time, or direction. In Cantonese, prepositions function similarly but are known as prepositional particles.

Cantonese Prepositions vs. English Prepositions

Unlike English, where prepositions are standalone words, Cantonese often uses particles or prepositional phrases that integrate directly with verbs or nouns to convey the desired relationship.

Common Cantonese Prepositions

Usage Tips

When using prepositions in Cantonese, it's crucial to pay attention to the verb or noun they are associated with, as the prepositional context changes based on these pairings.

• Locations often use 上面, 下面, or 入面 to define spatial relations.
• 去 (heoi3) is commonly used to express movement towards a place.
• Prepositions can alter the meaning of a sentence significantly, much like in English.

Examples of Common Prepositions in Sentences

Practice Exercise

Try translating these English sentences into Cantonese using what you've learned about prepositions: "The dog is inside the house." "He walked outside." Use the words and phrases provided to check your translations.