隨住

Along With/as

Level 4Sounds Like ceoi4 zyu6

Use 隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) to say 'along with' or 'as' when one thing changes because another thing is changing. It links a process of change to a resulting trend.

How It Works

1. Function and Meaning
隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) is the standard way to express 'as' or 'along with' in the context of trends and developments. Unlike a simple 'when' (...嗰陣), which can refer to a static point in time, 隨住 requires a process of change. It is frequently paired with verbs like 發展 (faat3 zin2, 'develop'), 增加 (zang1 gaa1, 'increase'), or 過去 (gwo3 heoi3, 'pass').

2. Sentence Structure
The pattern typically appears at the start of a sentence:

  • [隨住] + [Noun Phrase/Clause of Change] + [Resulting Change]

For example: 隨住科技發展 (Along with technological development), 我哋嘅生活方便咗好多 (our lives have become much more convenient).

3. Register and Usage
While this pattern is semi-formal and common in news or documentaries, it is widely used in daily speech when discussing aging, social trends, or economic shifts. In written Chinese, the equivalent is 隨著 (suízhe), but in spoken Cantonese, you must use the aspect marker 住 (zyu6) to sound natural. Using the written reading 著 (zoek3) sounds like you are reading from a script.

Examples (4)

  1. 隨住時間嘅過去，佢已經慢慢放低咗件事。

    As time passed, he gradually let go of the matter.

    Word by Word: Along with time's passing, he already slowly put down [perfective] matter.

    Here, 'time passing' is the continuous process that leads to the change in his feelings.

  2. 隨住年紀增長，個人會變得成熟啲。

    Along with the increase in age, a person will become more mature.

    Word by Word: Along with age increase, person will become mature a bit.

    年紀增長 (nin4 gei2 zang1 zoeng2) is a classic noun phrase used with this pattern to describe the process of getting older.

  3. 隨住佢慢慢大個，佢開始明白父母嘅辛苦。

    As he gradually grows up, he begins to understand his parents' hardships.

    Word by Word: Along with he slowly big-individual, he start understand parents' hardship.

    This shows 隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) followed by a short clause describing a person's growth.

  4. 隨住科技進步，而家搵資料方便好多。

    Along with technological progress, finding information is much more convenient now.

    Word by Word: Along with technology progress, now find information convenient very much.

    Commonly used to discuss societal or technological trends.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the written form 隨着 in casual speech.

    Different Meaning隨着 科技發展...
    隨住 科技發展...

    隨着 is the written form and is common in news and writing. In spoken Cantonese, 隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) is the more usual choice, so reading 隨着 aloud in a chat can sound like a script.

  • Confusing 'along with' (correlation) with 'and then' (sequence).

    隨住佢食完飯，佢就去咗沖涼。
    跟住佢食完飯，佢就去咗沖涼。

    隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) is for simultaneous correlation. For sequential actions (Event A then Event B), use 跟住 (gan1 zyu6).

  • Using a static noun that does not imply change.

    隨住呢本書，我學到好多嘢。
    透過呢本書，我學到好多嘢。

    隨住 (ceoi4 zyu6) requires a process or a change. A book is a static object. If you mean 'through' or 'by means of', use patterns like 透過 (tau3 gwo3) or 用 (jung6).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

隨住Level 4Along With/as

Learn This First

To understand '隨住' (along with/as), you need to be familiar with the durative aspect marker '住', which indicates a continuous state. This pattern specifically uses the verb 'to follow' (隨) combined with '住' to describe one change tracking alongside another over time.

Words in This Pattern

随