對（量詞）

Classifier for Pairs

Level 2Sounds Like deoi3

In Cantonese, 對 (deoi3) is the everyday classifier used for items that come in pairs, such as shoes, socks, eyes, chopsticks, and human couples. Simply follow the pattern: [Number / Demonstrative] + 對 + Noun.

How It Works

1. Core Structure and Usage
The basic structure for using 對 (deoi3) follows the standard Cantonese classifier frame:
[Number / Demonstrative] + 對 (deoi3) + [Noun]

Examples with numbers or demonstratives:

  • 呢對鞋 (nei1 deoi3 haai4) — this pair of shoes
  • 嗰對耳環 (go2 deoi3 ji5 waan4) — that pair of earrings

Common nouns that take 對 include:

  • Footwear & Accessories: 鞋 (haai4, shoes), 襪 (mat6, socks), 手套 (sau2 tou3, gloves), 耳環 (ji5 waan4, earrings)
  • Utensils: 筷子 (faai3 zi2, chopsticks)
  • Paired Body Parts: 眼 / 眼仔 (ngaan5 / ngaan5 zai2, eyes), 耳仔 (ji5 zai2, ears), 手 (sau2, hands), 腳 (goek3, feet/legs)
  • Couples & Relationships: 夫妻 (fu1 cai1, married couple), 情侶 (cing4 leoi5, lovers), 孖仔 / 孖女 (maa1 zai2 / maa1 neoi2, twin boys/girls)

2. Counting Two Pairs: Always Use 兩 (loeng5)
When specifying 'two pairs', Cantonese requires 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6):
兩對鞋 (loeng5 deoi3 haai4, 'two pairs of shoes').

3. Isolating a Single Item of a Pair
When referring to only one member of a pair (e.g., losing one sock or having an injury on one eye), Cantonese switches from 對 (deoi3) to 隻 (zek3):

  • 一對鞋 (jat1 deoi3 haai4) = a pair of shoes
  • 一隻鞋 (jat1 zek3 haai4) = one shoe

4. English Translation Pitfalls
In English, single items with two connected parts (like trousers, scissors, or glasses) are called 'a pair of'. Cantonese classifies these based on shape or tool structure, NOT as pairs:

  • Trousers/Pants: 一條褲 (jat1 tiu4 fu3) — uses 條 (tiu4) for long, narrow items
  • Scissors: 一把鉸剪 (jat1 baa2 gaau2 zin2) — uses 把 (baa2) for handled tools
  • Glasses: 一副眼鏡 (jat1 fu3 ngaan5 geng2) — uses 副 (fu3) for sets or instruments

Examples (5)

  1. 佢買咗呢對新鞋。

    He bought this pair of new shoes.

    Word by Word: he buy PERF this pair new shoes

    對 (deoi3) is used here with the demonstrative 呢 (nei1, 'this') as the classifier for shoes.

  2. 嗰個 BB 有一對好大嘅眼仔。

    That baby has a pair of very big eyes.

    Word by Word: that CL baby have one pair very big POSS eyes

    Body parts that naturally come in pairs, such as eyes (眼 ngaan5 / 眼仔 ngaan5 zai2), take 對 (deoi3).

  3. 佢哋係一對好幸福嘅夫婦。

    They are a very happy couple.

    Word by Word: they are one pair very happy POSS husband-and-wife

    對 (deoi3) is used for couples and paired people.

  4. 幫我拎一對筷子呀，唔該。

    Please hand me a pair of chopsticks.

    Word by Word: help me fetch one pair chopsticks SFP, please

    Utensils used in matching sets of two, like chopsticks, take 對 (deoi3).

  5. 我洗衫嗰陣唔見咗隻襪。

    I lost a sock while doing the laundry.

    Word by Word: I wash clothes that time not see PERF CL sock

    When referring to a single member of a pair, Cantonese switches from 對 (deoi3) to 隻 (zek3).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 對 (deoi3) for pants, scissors, or glasses due to English literal translation ('a pair of')

    我買咗一對褲。
    我買咗一條褲。

    In Cantonese, trousers take the classifier 條 (tiu4) for long flexible items. Do not translate English 'pair of pants' literally using 對 (deoi3).

  • Using 二 (ji6) instead of 兩 (loeng5) when counting two pairs

    我有二對耳環。
    我有兩對耳環。

    In spoken Cantonese, ‘two’ before a classifier is normally 兩 (loeng5), not 二 (ji6).

  • Treating 雙 (soeng1) as wrong for gloves.

    Different Meaning佢戴住一雙手套。
    佢戴住一對手套。

    一雙手套 is natural. Both 對 (deoi3) and 雙 (soeng1) are used for paired items such as gloves and shoes, and 雙 is also common for chopsticks. This page teaches 對 first, but 雙 is not an error.

How It Connects

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

對（量詞）Level 2Classifier for Pairs

Learn This First

To use the classifier 對 (pairs), you first need to understand the basic structure of Cantonese noun phrases, specifically how numbers and classifiers work together. It is also helpful to understand the classifier 隻, as it is used to refer to one individual item from a pair (like one shoe vs. a pair of shoes).

Words in This Pattern

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