打
Classifier for Dozens
Use 打 (daa1) to count items in sets of twelve or half-dozens (半打 bun3 daa1). It directly replaces standard classifiers before nouns.
How It Works
Understanding 打 (daa1) as a Classifier
Cantonese frequently incorporates loanwords from English, and 打 (daa1) comes from 'dozen'. When counting items in sets of 12, 打 acts as a classifier within the standard Number + CL + Noun counting frame.
Key Usage Patterns:
- 一打 (jat1 daa1): One dozen (12 items)
- 半打 (bun3 daa1): Half a dozen (6 items) — uses 半 + CL
- 兩打 (loeng5 daa1): Two dozen (24 items) — remember to use 兩 (loeng5) for 'two' before a classifier, never 二 (ji6)
Important Tone Distinction:
Do not confuse the classifier 打 (daa1, High Level Tone 1) with the verb 打 (daa2, High Rising Tone 2) meaning 'to hit', 'to call', or 'to play'.
No Double Classifiers:
Because 打 is already a classifier, do not insert individual unit classifiers like 隻 (zek3) or 個 (go3) after it. Say 一打雞蛋 (jat1 daa1 gai1 daan2), not *一打隻雞蛋.
Reduplication:
Using 一打打 (jat1 daa1 daa1) or 一打一打咁 (jat1 daa1 jat1 daa1 gam3) means 'by the dozen' or 'dozens of'.
Examples (4)
- 唔該俾半打蛋撻我。
Please give me half a dozen egg tarts.
Word by Word: Please give half dozen egg tart me.
半打 (bun3 daa1) means half a dozen (6 items). Notice no individual classifier is placed between 打 and 蛋撻.
- 佢買咗一打啤酒嚟飲。
He bought a dozen beers to drink.
Word by Word: He buy [completed] one dozen beer come drink.
一打 (jat1 daa1) represents one dozen (12 units).
- 啲鉛筆係一打一打咁賣嘅。
The pencils are sold by the dozen.
Word by Word: Those pencil be one dozen one dozen like-this sell [assertion].
Repeating the structure as 一打一打 (jat1 daa1 jat1 daa1) expresses the adverbial meaning 'by the dozen'.
- 我哋要買兩打雞蛋。
We need to buy two dozen eggs.
Word by Word: We need buy two dozen egg.
Two dozen is 兩打 (loeng5 daa1), using 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6).
Common Mistakes
Inserting an individual classifier after 打.
我買咗一打隻雞蛋。我買咗一打雞蛋。打 (daa1) is already a classifier. Stacking an individual classifier like 隻 (zek3) after it is incorrect.
Using 二 (ji6) instead of 兩 (loeng5) for 'two dozen'.
請俾二打西餅我。請俾兩打西餅我。When quantifying items before any classifier in Cantonese, always use 兩 (loeng5) rather than 二 (ji6).
Pronouncing the classifier with 2nd tone (daa2) instead of 1st tone (daa1).
一打 (jat1 daa2) 蛋撻一打 (jat1 daa1) 蛋撻The classifier 'dozen' must be pronounced daa1 (Tone 1). Tone 2 (daa2) is reserved for the verb 'to hit/play/call'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use '打' (daa1) as a classifier for a dozen, you need to understand the basic Cantonese counting structure (Number + Classifier + Noun) and how classifiers function as units of measurement. Familiarity with expressing 'half' (半) is also helpful for common phrases like 'half a dozen'.
Related Patterns
- Classifier Basics
打 functions as a Cantonese classifier, following standard classifier rules and position.
Foundations - Counting frame
打 fits directly into the standard Cantonese counting frame replacing single unit classifiers.
Level 1 - 二/兩Two
When counting two dozen, you must pair 打 with 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6).
Level 1 - Reduplicated classifier
Reduplicating 打 into 一打打 (jat1 daa1 daa1) creates the phrase 'dozens of' or 'by the dozen'.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice 打 in Bubblegum
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