What are common mistakes with 係字句?

EN/DE speakers: Using 係 with adjectives (*我係高 instead of 我好高). 係 is ONLY for nouns. Mandarin speakers: Same as 是, no issue. RU speakers: Russian drops 'to be' in present — Cantonese requires 係.

係字句: rules, examples & exercises | Cantonese Grammar A1

係字句

A1 — 動詞

Using 係 (hai6) as the copula 'to be' for identity and classification

I can identify people and things using 係 sentences.

Using 係 (hai6) as the copula 'to be' for identity and classification

Examples

我係學生。 — I am a student.
呢個唔係我嘅。 — This is not mine.
你係邊個？ — Who are you?

動詞A1

The Copula 係

Using 係 as 'to be' for identity

Learning Goal

I can identify people and things using 係.

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

我係學生。

I am a student.

呢個唔係我嘅。

This is not mine.

你係邊個？

Who are you?

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

係 hai6 — "to be"

係 is used to link a subject to a noun (identity/classification). It does NOT change form — no conjugation.

A 係 B = "A is B"

Pattern	Example	Meaning
Identity	我係學生。	I am a student.
Classification	呢個係蘋果。	This is an apple.
Negation	佢唔係老師。	He/She is not a teacher.

Important: Do NOT use 係 with adjectives! "I am tall" = 我好高 (NOT *我係高). Adjectives work differently — see the adjectives topic.

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

Using 係 with adjectives — only for nouns.

我係學生。

I am a student.

ngo5 hai6 hok6 saang1 — 係 links subject to noun identity. No article needed.

呢個唔係我嘅。

This is not mine.

ni1 go3 m4 hai6 ngo5 ge3 — Negation: 唔 before 係. 嘅 = possessive particle.

你係邊個？

Who are you?

nei5 hai6 bin1 go3 — Question with 邊個 (who). 係 remains unchanged.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

Try a free exercise from the course

Frequently asked questions

When is 係字句 used?: 係 is used to link a subject to a noun (identity/classification). It does NOT change form — no conjugation.
How is 係字句 formed?: Important: Do NOT use 係 with adjectives! "I am tall" = 我好高 (NOT *我係高). Adjectives work differently — see the adjectives topic.
What are common mistakes with 係字句?: EN/DE speakers: Using 係 with adjectives (*我係高 instead of 我好高). 係 is ONLY for nouns. Mandarin speakers: Same as 是, no issue. RU speakers: Russian drops 'to be' in present — Cantonese requires 係.