Sentence-Final Particles
Mood particles at end of sentences
I can use basic sentence-final particles.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
好呀，我哋走喇。
OK, let's go.
你嚟咗喎！
Oh, you came!
係㗎，我識佢。
That's right, I know him/her.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Sentence-Final Particles 語氣助詞
Cantonese uses particles at the END of sentences to express mood. This is one of the most distinctive features of Cantonese.
| Particle | Jyutping | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 呀 | aa3 | Softener, friendly tone | 好呀！(Good! / OK!) |
| 喇 | laa3 | Change of state, 'now/already' | 食得喇。(It's ready to eat now.) |
| 㗎 | gaa3 | Emphasis, assertive | 係㗎。(That's right.) |
| 喎 | wo3 | Surprise, realization | 好靚喎！(Wow, that's pretty!) |
| 囉 | lo1 | Obviously, what-can-you-do | 咁就算囉。(Then let it be.) |
| 嘅 | ge3 | Assertion of fact | 佢好叻嘅。(He's really smart.) |
Tip: Start with 呀 (friendly) and 喇 (change) — these cover most A1 situations.
Omitting particles — sounds abrupt.
好呀，我哋走喇。
OK, let's go.
呀 softens agreement. 喇 signals 'now/let's do it' — change of state.
你嚟咗喎！
Oh, you came!
喎 expresses pleasant surprise at the realized situation.
係㗎，我識佢。
That's right, I know him/her.
㗎 emphasizes factual assertion. Stronger than plain statement.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises