啲 + Noun

The (Plural)

Level 2Sounds Like di1

In Cantonese, nouns do not inflect for plural forms. Instead, you replace standard singular classifiers with 啲 (di1) to refer to plural objects or mass quantities ('the books', 'some water').

How It Works

In Cantonese, bare classifiers in subject position mark singular definiteness (e.g., 本書 bun2 syu1 = 'the book'), whereas in object position they can be either definite or indefinite depending on context. To express plural definiteness ('the books') or uncountable mass quantities ('the / some water'), Cantonese uses 啲 (di1) as both a plural classifier for count nouns and a mass classifier for uncountable nouns.

Key Syntactic Rules:

  • 1. Position and Context: When 啲 + Noun appears in subject position (pre-verbal), it carries a definite reading ('the [nouns]'). For example, 啲人好叻 (di1 jan4 hou2 lek1) means 'The people are smart'. In object position (post-verbal), 啲 + Noun can mean either 'the' or 'some' depending on context and verbal particles (e.g., 做晒啲功課未？ 'Have you finished all the homework?'). To explicitly mark an indefinite partitive reading ('some'), use 一啲 (jat1 di1).
  • 2. Replaces Sortal Classifiers: 啲 replaces sortal classifiers like 個 (go3) or 本 (bun2). You cannot combine 啲 with another classifier (*啲本書 is ungrammatical).
  • 3. Restrictions on Numerals: 啲 can only be preceded by the numeral 一 (jat1, 'one'). Specific numbers greater than one cannot attach to 啲 (*三啲人 is ungrammatical; use 三個人). It also combines with demonstratives to form 呢啲 / 嗰啲 ('these / those').

Important Distinction: Do not confuse 啲 with 哋 (dei6). 啲 is placed before general nouns, whereas 哋 attaches after personal pronouns (e.g., 我哋 ngo5 dei6) or specific human relationship terms.

Examples (4)

  1. 啲人好叻。

    The people are very smart.

    Word by Word: Plural-CL person very smart.

    In subject position, 啲人 (di1 jan4) refers specifically to 'the people' (definite plural).

  2. 啲書喺呢度。

    The books are here.

    Word by Word: Plural-CL book at here.

    Replacing the singular classifier 本 (bun2) with 啲 (di1) changes the meaning from 'the book' to 'the books'.

  3. 不如買啲水果吖。

    How about buying some fruit?

    Word by Word: How-about buy plural-CL fruit particle.

    After the verb 買 (maai5), 啲 (di1) gives an indefinite/partitive reading of 'some'.

  4. 啲水好熱，小心呀。

    The water is very hot, be careful.

    Word by Word: Plural-CL water very hot, careful particle.

    啲 (di1) works with mass/uncountable nouns as well to indicate 'the [water]'.

Common Mistakes

  • Combining specific numbers higher than one with 啲 (di1).

    我買咗三啲書。
    我買咗三本書。

    Numbers above one cannot combine with 啲 (di1); only 一啲 ('a little, some') works. Use specific sortal classifiers like 本 (bun2) when counting.

  • Placing 啲 (di1) after the noun like an English plural suffix (-s).

    書啲喺呢度。
    啲書喺呢度。

    啲 (di1) is a pre-nominal classifier and must always precede the noun, never follow it.

  • Using 啲 (di1) together with a singular sortal classifier.

    啲個學生好勤力。
    啲學生好勤力。

    啲 (di1) replaces standard classifiers entirely. Do not double up classifiers.

How It Connects

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啲 + NounLevel 2The (Plural)

Learn This First

To understand '啲 + Noun', a learner needs to know that Cantonese uses classifiers to specify nouns. While a standard classifier like '個' (go3) refers to a single definite item, '啲' (di1) acts as a general plural classifier to refer to 'the' (plural) or 'these' specific items.

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