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Cantonese Grammar Lesson 2
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Function words |
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is |
係 |
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not |
唔 |
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Nouns |
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| person |
人 |
book |
書 |
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car |
車 |
teacher |
老師 |
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friend |
朋友 |
student |
學生 |
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The Equating Verb "haih"
Grammar DescriptionEnglish vs. Cantonese Linking VerbsEnglish uses the format NOUN + "to be" + NOUN to equate a subject and another noun (predicate nominative). Examples:
The exact same format is used to link nouns and adjectives (predicate adjective) in English: NOUN + "to be" + ADJECTIVE. Examples:
Cantonese uses one verb to link nouns to nouns (haih), but does not use a verb to link nouns to adjectives. Instead, the adjectives act as verbs. The pattern given in this lesson is only used to link a noun to another noun. The pattern for linking a noun to an adjective is given in the next grammar lesson. The Negative \mh\To form the negative of most sentences the prefix \mh\ is added before the verb or adjective being negated.
Subject Verb AgreementIn Cantonese, subjects and verbs automatically agree. They do not need to be adjusted for first person, second person, third person, or singular/plural considerations. English has "am, are, is" plus different forms for each tense. Cantonese uses "haih" for all cases. |
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