等

So That/let

Level 3Sounds Like dang2

Use 等 (dang2) to connect an action to its intended result ('so that') or to start a sentence when offering to do something ('let me...').

How It Works

1. Expressing Intended Result ('So that')
When placed between two clauses, 等 (dang2) indicates that the first action is performed to bring about the second intended result. It marks a result the speaker wants to bring about; to avoid an unwanted result, use 費事 (fai3 si6) instead.

  • Structure: [Action] + 等 + [Intended Result]
  • Example: 講大聲啲，等佢聽到 (Speak louder so that he can hear).

2. Volunteering or Offering ('Let')
When starting a sentence, it functions like 'let' in English, but specifically for volunteering or making a suggestion. It is distinct from 畀 (bei2), which is used for seeking or giving permission.

  • Structure: 等 + [Person] + [Action]
  • Example: 等我嚟啦 (Let me do it / Let me come).

3. Temporal Condition ('Wait until... first')
A very common pattern uses 等 (dang2) with 先 (sin1) to mean 'Wait until X happens before doing Y'.

  • Structure: 等 + [Event] + 先 (+ [Action])
  • Example: 等埋佢先食 (Wait for him before eating).

4. Listing ('Etc.')
In both spoken and written Cantonese, doubling the word as 等等 (dang2 dang2) at the end of a list means 'and so on' or 'etc.'

  • Example: 蘋果、橙等等 (Apples, oranges, etc.)

Examples (5)

  1. 講大聲啲，等佢聽到。

    Speak a bit louder so that he can hear.

    Word by Word: Speak big sound a-bit, so-that he hear-reach.

    Here, 等 (dang2) connects the action of speaking louder to the intended result of being heard.

  2. 等我諗吓先。

    Let me think about it first.

    Word by Word: Let me think a-bit first.

    Using 等 (dang2) at the start of the sentence functions as 'let' when volunteering an action. The particle 先 (sin1) is often used with this to mean 'first'.

  3. 等佢嚟咗先講啦。

    Wait until he arrives before talking.

    Word by Word: Wait he come-already first speak [particle].

    This uses the 'Wait until... first' pattern (等...先) to indicate a temporal condition.

  4. 我買咗蘋果、橙、蕉等等。

    I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and so on.

    Word by Word: I buy-already apple, orange, banana, wait-wait.

    When doubled as 等等 (dang2 dang2) at the end of a list, it means 'etc.' or 'and so on'.

  5. 等我幫你拎啦。

    Let me help you carry it.

    Word by Word: Let me help you take [particle].

    A common way to offer help using the 'let' function of 等 (dang2).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 等 (dang2) when you mean 'allow me in'.

    Different Meaning等我入去呀。
    畀我入去呀。

    等我入去呀 is natural when you offer or announce that you will go in ('Let me go in'). To ask to be allowed in, use 畀 (bei2): 畀我入去呀.

  • Using Mandarin-style 讓 (joeng6) in spoken Cantonese to mean 'let'.

    Different Meaning讓我想想。
    等我諗吓先。

    While 讓 (joeng6) is correct in Standard Written Chinese, it sounds like a 'Mandarin-ism' in spoken Cantonese. Use 等 (dang2) instead.

  • Thinking 等 (dang2) is only for positive results.

    行快啲，等我哋遲到。
    行快啲，費事我哋遲到。

    While 等 (dang2) links to an intended result, it is neutral. However, if the result is something you want to avoid, use 費事 (fai3 si6) ('so as to avoid') instead.

How It Connects

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

等Level 3So That/let

Learn This First

To understand '等' (so that/let), you need to be comfortable with linking two clauses together where the first action is performed to enable the second. It builds on the concept of purpose markers and causative verbs like '畀' (let/allow).

Words in This Pattern