Verb + 多 + Classifier

One More / Another

Level 3Sounds Like do1

The Cantonese pattern V + 多 + 量詞 (Verb + do1 + Classifier) is the standard way to say 'one more' or 'another'. Unlike English, the word for 'more' (多) comes directly after the verb, and the number 'one' (一) is usually omitted.

How It Works

This pattern is a core feature of colloquial Cantonese and differs significantly from Mandarin word order.

1. Word Order:
The structure follows: Verb + 多 (do1) + (Number) + Classifier + (Noun).
Example: 飲 (Verb) + 多 (do1) + 杯 (Classifier) = 'Drink one more cup'.

2. The 'One' Omission:
When you want 'one more' of something, omitting the number 一 (jat1) is standard in colloquial speech. You simply say 多 + Classifier. You may include 一 (jat1) if you want to specifically emphasize the quantity of exactly one.

3. Adding More Than One:
If the quantity is greater than one, you must include the number: 睇多兩次 (tai2 do1 loeng5 ci3) 'Watch two more times'.

4. Quantity vs. Frequency:
Placement is critical. Placing 多 (do1) after the verb refers to quantity (e.g., 食多啲魚 sik6 do1 di1 jyu2 - eat a larger amount of fish). Placing 多 (do1) before the verb refers to frequency (e.g., 多啲食魚 do1 di1 sik6 jyu2 - eat fish more often).

5. Addition vs. Excess:
Do not confuse this with the 咗 (zo2) pattern. V + 多 + CL means 'one more' (addition), while V + 多咗 means 'too many/too much' (excess). For example, 食多碗 (sik6 do1 wun2) means 'eat another bowl', but 食多咗一碗 (sik6 do1 zo2 jat1 wun2) means 'ate one bowl too many'.

6. The 'Less' Counterpart:
The same word order applies to 少 (siu2) to express 'one fewer' or 'less'. For example, 飲少杯 (jam2 siu2 bui1) means 'drink one fewer glass'.

7. Verb-Object Compounds:
If a verb consists of two parts, the 多 + Classifier phrase splits the verb: 飲多杯酒 (jam2 do1 bui1 zau2) 'drink one more glass of wine'.

Examples (5)

  1. 我想食多碗飯。

    I want to eat one more bowl of rice.

    Word by Word: I want eat more bowl rice.

    Here, 多 (do1) follows the verb 食 (sik6). The number 'one' is omitted before the classifier 碗 (wun2).

  2. 唔該畀多個袋我。

    Please give me another bag.

    Word by Word: Please give more [classifier] bag me.

    In requests, this pattern is used to ask for an additional item. 個 (go3) is the general classifier for the bag.

  3. 你要着多件衫呀。

    You need to wear one more layer of clothes.

    Word by Word: You need wear more [classifier] clothes [particle].

    件 (gin6) is the classifier for clothing. This is a common way to advise someone to wrap up warm.

  4. 睇多兩次就明㗎喇。

    Watch it two more times and then you'll understand.

    Word by Word: Watch more two times then understand [particle].

    When the quantity is more than one, the number (兩 loeng5) is included after 多 (do1).

  5. 飲多杯茶啦！

    Have another cup of tea!

    Word by Word: Drink more cup tea [particle]!

    A polite suggestion using the suggestion particle 啦 (laa1).

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 多 must come after the verb.

    Different Meaning多飲一杯茶。
    飲多杯茶。

    多飲一杯茶 is fine Cantonese too. The casual pattern 飲多杯茶 (V + 多 + classifier) is what this page teaches for 'one more cup'.

  • Confusing 'one more' with 'too much' by adding 咗 (zo2).

    Different Meaning我食多咗碗飯。
    我食多碗飯。

    Adding the aspect marker 咗 (zo2) changes the meaning from 'one more' to 'too much' or 'excessively'. Use 'V + 多 + CL' to ask for another serving, and 'V + 多咗' to express that you accidentally ate too much.

  • Over-relying on the number 'one' (一) in casual speech.

    Different Meaning食多一個。
    食多個。

    While including 一 (jat1) is not grammatically wrong and can be used for specific emphasis (e.g., 'just ONE more'), omitting it is the standard in colloquial speech. Simply using the classifier after 多 (do1) is the most natural way to say 'one more'.

How It Connects

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

Verb + 多 + ClassifierLevel 3One More / Another

Learn This First

To use this pattern, you need to understand how classifiers work in Cantonese and how they combine with numbers to count objects. It also builds on the basic use of '多' (more) as a post-verbal modifier.

Words in This Pattern