Possessor + 啲 + Noun

Plural Possession

Level 2Sounds Like di1

In Cantonese, possession is often expressed using a classifier. While 嘅 (ge3) is a general possessive marker, using 啲 (di1) specifically signals that you are talking about multiple items (plural) or a portion of a mass noun (like water or money).

How It Works

In Cantonese, possession can be shown in two main ways: using the general marker 嘅 (ge3) or using a classifier. When you use a classifier, it provides information about the number and type of the object.

  • Specifying Plurality: While 嘅 (ge3) is the most common possessive marker, it is ambiguous regarding number. For example, ngo5 ge3 syu1 (我嘅書) could mean 'my book' or 'my books'. Using 啲 (di1) in the classifier slot explicitly marks the noun as plural or mass.
  • Definiteness: Using a classifier in a possessive construction implies that the items are definite. This means you are referring to a specific set of items already known to the speaker and listener (e.g., ngo5 di1 pang4 jau5 我啲朋友 - 'my friends').
  • Plural vs. Mass: 啲 (di1) is used for countable nouns to mark them as plural, and for mass nouns to mean 'the portion of' or 'some of' (e.g., nei5 di1 cin2 你啲錢 - 'your money').
  • Close Relationships: For close family or friends, possessive markers are often dropped (e.g., ngo5 maa1 mi1 我媽咪 - 'my mom'). However, if you are referring to a group, 啲 (di1) is still required to show plurality.
  • Not a Comparison: Do not confuse this with the 啲 (di1) used in comparisons (like 'better' or 'faster'). In this pattern, 啲 (di1) functions strictly as a plural classifier.
  • Register: This is the standard way to speak in daily life. In formal writing, this specific 'Possessor + 啲' structure is not used. Instead, formal Cantonese or Standard Written Chinese uses the possessive marker 嘅 (ge3) or its formal equivalent dik1 (的), with plurality usually implied by the context.

Examples (5)

  1. 我啲朋友去咗旅行。

    My friends have gone traveling.

    Word by Word: I [plural-marker] friend go [perfective] travel.

    Here, 啲 (di1) makes 'friend' plural. Using 嘅 (ge3) would be grammatically correct but wouldn't explicitly emphasize that there is more than one friend.

  2. 佢啲衫好污糟。

    His clothes are very dirty.

    Word by Word: He [plural-marker] clothes very dirty.

    衫 (saam1) refers to clothing. 啲 (di1) indicates a collection of clothes rather than a single item.

  3. 唔該拎我啲錢畀我。

    Please bring my money to me.

    Word by Word: Please bring I [plural-marker] money give I.

    Money (cin2) is a mass noun. 啲 (di1) is used here to refer to 'my money' as a quantity.

  4. 老師啲書喺邊度呀？

    Where are the teacher's books?

    Word by Word: Teacher [plural-marker] book at where [question]?

    The possessor can be a noun like 老師 (lou5 si1) 'teacher', not just a pronoun.

  5. 你啲貓好得意呀！

    Your cats are so cute!

    Word by Word: You [plural-marker] cat very cute [particle]!

    Using 啲 (di1) here implies the person has multiple cats.

Common Mistakes

  • Combining the general possessive marker 嘅 (ge3) with 啲 (di1).

    我嘅啲書
    我啲書

    You must choose one or the other. 啲 (di1) acts as the possessive marker itself in this construction. Adding 嘅 (ge3) is redundant and unnatural.

  • Using 啲 when you mean one book.

    Different Meaning我啲書
    我本書

    If you are referring to exactly one item, you must use the specific classifier (like 本 bun2 for books) or just 嘅 (ge3).

  • Using 啲 (di1) with a specific number.

    我三啲書
    我嗰三本書

    啲 (di1) represents an indefinite plural. If you have a specific number (like 'three'), you must use the specific classifier (三本書 saam1 bun2 syu1).

How It Connects

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

Possessor + 啲 + NounLevel 2Plural Possession

Learn This First

To understand plural possession, you first need to know how Cantonese uses classifiers to show possession (replacing the general possessive particle '嘅'). You also need to be familiar with '啲' as the specific classifier used for plural or uncountable items.

Words in This Pattern