Time Expressions
Days, time words, clock time
I can talk about time and schedule.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我聽日去飲茶。
I'm going to yum cha tomorrow.
而家幾點？
What time is it now?
我朝早八點返工。
I go to work at 8 in the morning.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Time Words
| Cantonese | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 今日 | gam1 jat6 | today |
| 聽日 | ting1 jat6 | tomorrow |
| 琴日 | kam4 jat6 | yesterday |
| 而家 | ji4 gaa1 | now |
| 朝早 | ziu1 zou2 | morning |
| 晏晝 | aan3 zau3 | afternoon |
| 夜晚 | je6 maan5 | evening/night |
Rule: Time words go BEFORE the verb: 我今日去。(I'm going today.)
Clock time: 而家幾點？(What time is it now?) → 而家三點半。(It's 3:30 now.)
Putting time after verb.
我聽日去飲茶。
I'm going to yum cha tomorrow.
聽日 (tomorrow) goes before the verb 去. Time-Subject-Verb-Object.
而家幾點？
What time is it now?
而家 (now) + 幾點 (what time). Standard time question.
我朝早八點返工。
I go to work at 8 in the morning.
朝早 (morning) + 八點 (8 o'clock) + 返工 (go to work). Time phrase before verb.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises