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?
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.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesOmitting 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