V+O+V+得

Verb Copying for Manner

Level 3Sounds Like dak1

In Cantonese, a manner complement (introduced by 得 (dak1)) must follow the verb immediately. If the verb has an object, you normally repeat the verb: Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + Adjective.

How It Works

The Verb Copying pattern is essential because many Cantonese verbs are actually 'verb-object compounds' (like 唱歌 coeng3 go1 'sing-song' or 食飯 sik6 faan6 'eat-rice').

1. The Structure:
The standard formula is: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object] + [Verb] + 得 (dak1) + [Adjective/Adverb].
Example: 佢 (Subject) + 寫 (Verb) + 字 (Object) + 寫 (Verb) + 得 (dak1) + 好靚 (Adjective).

2. Key Rules:

  • Identity: The two verbs must be identical. If the verb is a Verb-Object (V-O) compound (like 唱歌 coeng3 go1), you usually only repeat the first syllable (the action part). However, for disyllabic verbs that are not V-O compounds (like 翻譯 faan1 jik6 'to translate'), you must repeat the entire verb: 翻譯呢本書翻譯得好 (faan1 jik6 ni1 bun2 syu1 faan1 jik6 dak1 hou2).
  • Aspect Markers: Do not put aspect markers like 咗 (zo2) or 緊 (gan2) on the first verb. The first Verb-Object pair sets the scene, while the second verb carries the description.
  • Manner vs. Extent: Remember that in Cantonese, 得 (dak1) is used for manner (how something is done). If you want to describe extent (so much that...), you must use 到 (dou3) instead.

3. Alternatives:
Native speakers sometimes avoid verb copying by using Object Topicalisation, moving the object to the very front of the sentence (e.g., 'Cantonese, he speaks very well'). However, verb copying remains the most common spoken strategy for simple descriptions.

Examples (4)

  1. 佢講廣東話講得好流利。

    He speaks Cantonese very fluently.

    Word by Word: He speak Cantonese speak [dak1] very fluent.

    The verb 講 (gong2) is repeated because the object 廣東話 (Cantonese) is present.

  2. 你做功課做得好快喎！

    You do your homework very quickly!

    Word by Word: You do homework do [dak1] very fast [wo3]!

    The verb 做 (zou6) is repeated to allow the manner complement 'very fast' to follow it.

  3. 我哥哥煮飯煮得好難食。

    My older brother cooks very poorly (tastes bad).

    Word by Word: My older-brother cook rice cook [dak1] very hard-eat.

    煮飯 (zyu2 faan6) is a verb-object compound; the verb 煮 is copied to describe the quality of the cooking.

  4. 佢行路行得好慢。

    He walks very slowly.

    Word by Word: He walk road walk [dak1] very slow.

    Even for 'walking', Cantonese uses the verb-object pair 行路 (haang4 lou6), requiring the verb to be copied.

Common Mistakes

  • Following English SVO + Adverb order without copying the verb.

    佢講廣東話得好流利。
    佢講廣東話講得好流利。

    In Cantonese, the particle 得 (dak1) must be attached directly to the verb. You cannot place the object between the verb and 得.

  • Repeating the entire Verb-Object phrase instead of just the verb.

    佢食飯食飯得好快。
    佢食飯食得好快。

    Only the verb itself should be repeated, not the object.

How It Connects

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

V+O+V+得Level 3Verb Copying for Manner

Learn This First

To use verb copying for manner, you first need to understand the basic manner complement (V+得+Adj). Since Cantonese does not allow an object to sit between the verb and its manner complement, the verb must be repeated (V+O+V+得). Knowledge of basic word order and degree markers like '好' is essential for forming these sentences correctly.

Words in This Pattern