邊

Which

Level 1Sounds Like bin1

邊 (bin1) is the Cantonese word for 'which'. Unlike English, 邊 (bin1) usually cannot attach directly to a normal noun; it combines with a classifier (like 邊本 bin1 bun2 - which book) or suffix (like 邊個 bin1 go3 - who/which person, 邊度 bin1 dou6 - where).

How It Works

The word 邊 (bin1) is a foundational question word in Cantonese used to specify or select from a limited group.

1. Structure with Classifiers
To modify a standard countable noun, Cantonese requires a classifier between 邊 (bin1) and the noun:
邊 + Classifier + Noun
• 邊本書 (bin1 bun2 syu1) = which book
• 邊隻狗 (bin1 zek3 gau2) = which dog
• 邊張枱 (bin1 zoeng1 toi2) = which table

2. Essential Compounds & Variations
邊 (bin1) forms core Cantonese question words and plural forms:
• 邊個 (bin1 go3): who / which person / which standard item
• 邊度 (bin1 dou6): where / which place
• 邊啲 (bin1 di1): which ones (plural)
• 邊一 + Classifier (bin1 jat1 + CL): which specific one (emphatic)

3. Unit Noun Exception
Nouns that function as their own unit of measurement or classification do not need an extra classifier. 邊 (bin1) attaches directly to them:
• 邊年 (bin1 nin4) = which year
• 邊日 (bin1 jat6) = which day
• 邊次 (bin1 ci3) = which time / occasion

4. 邊 (bin1) vs. 乜嘢 (mat1 je5)
Use 邊 (bin1) when selecting from a specific or limited choice ('which'). Use 乜嘢 (mat1 je5) (frequently contracted to 咩 me1 in spoken Cantonese) for open-ended inquiry ('what').

5. Word Order
Remember that Cantonese follows question words stay in place word order. Instead of moving 邊度 (bin1 dou6) to the front like English 'Where', keep it in the location spot: 我本書喺邊度？ (ngo5 bun2 syu1 hai2 bin1 dou6? - Where is my book?).

Examples (4)

  1. 你要邊本呀？

    Which one [book] do you want?

    Word by Word: you want which volume (particle)?

    When the context of 'book' is understood, you can drop the noun and use 邊 (bin1) + Classifier (本 bun2) alone.

  2. 邊隻狗最乖呀？

    Which dog is the most well-behaved?

    Word by Word: which [animal-classifier] dog most well-behaved (particle)?

    Demonstrates the standard pattern: 邊 (bin1) + Classifier (隻 zek3) + Noun (狗 gau2).

  3. 佢去咗邊度呀？

    Where did he go?

    Word by Word: he go [completed] which place (particle)?

    Shows the compound 邊度 (bin1 dou6), which means 'where' or 'which place'.

  4. 你邊日得閒呀？

    Which day are you free?

    Word by Word: you which day free (particle)?

    Shows 邊 (bin1) attaching directly to the unit noun 日 (jat6, day) without an extra classifier.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the classifier between 邊 (bin1) and a general noun.

    你想睇邊書呀？
    你想睇邊本書呀？

    English allows 'which book' directly, but standard countable nouns in Cantonese require a classifier (本 bun2) between 邊 (bin1) and the noun.

  • Using English fronting word order for location questions with 邊度 (bin1 dou6).

    邊度喺我本書呀？
    我本書喺邊度呀？

    Cantonese keeps question words in place (wh-in-situ). Place 邊度 (bin1 dou6) at the end where the location statement would go.

How It Connects

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邊Level 1Which

Learn This First

To use '邊' (which) correctly, you need to understand how classifiers work in Cantonese, as '邊' is almost always paired with one. You also need to be familiar with the 'wh-in-situ' rule, where question words stay in the same place as the object or subject, and how demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' function structurally.

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边边