到（終點）

Reach / Until

Level 2Sounds Like dou3

到 (dou3) marks an endpoint or limit—whether in time ('until 3 PM'), space ('to the shore'), or degree ('to the point of being full'). Note that it is pronounced in Tone 3 (dou3), distinguishing it from the attainment marker dou2.

How It Works

In everyday spoken Cantonese, 到 (dou3) is the standard choice for expressing limits and endpoints.

1. Tone Distinction (dou3 vs. dou2)
Always pronounce endpoint 到 with Tone 3 (dou3). Do not confuse it with 到 (dou2, Tone 2), which indicates successful completion or ability (e.g., 睇到 tai2 dou2 'managed to see / able to see'). While both historically share the same character root, Tone 3 marks limits ('until'), whereas Tone 2 marks achievement.

2. Word Order with Direct Objects
If a verb takes an object noun, you cannot place the object directly between the main verb and 到 (e.g., avoid *睇書到十點). For specific clock time points, use verb copying or omit the noun:
• Verb Copying: 睇書睇到十點 (tai2 syu1 tai2 dou3 sap6 dim2 - read books until 10 o'clock)

3. Range & Trajectory
To mark both starting and ending boundaries, pair it with 由 (jau4) in the pattern 由...到... ('from... to...').

Examples (5)

  1. 我尋晚做到三點。

    I worked until three o'clock last night.

    Word by Word: I last night work until three o'clock.

    做到三點 (zou6 dou3 saam1 dim2) uses 到 (dou3) to mark the temporal limit of working.

  2. 佢哋游到對岸。

    They swam to the opposite shore.

    Word by Word: They swim until opposite shore.

    游到 (jau4 dou3) shows physical movement reaching the destination 對岸 (deoi3 ngon6).

  3. 嗰陣時我哋笑到碌地。

    At that time, we laughed to the point of rolling on the floor.

    Word by Word: That time we laugh until roll ground.

    笑到 (siu3 dou3) introduces an extreme degree or result brought about by laughing.

  4. 佢睇書睇到半夜。

    He read books until midnight.

    Word by Word: He read book read until midnight.

    Because 睇 (tai2) has an object 書 (syu1), verb copying (睇書睇到) is used before the time endpoint.

  5. 由早上到夜晚都落緊雨。

    It has been raining from morning until night.

    Word by Word: From morning until night all rain progressive.

    Combines 由 (jau4) and 到 (dou3) to express a continuous timeframe from start to end.

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing endpoint 到 as dou2 (Tone 2) instead of dou3 (Tone 3).

    我做到三點。(dou2)
    我做到三點。(dou3)

    Tone 2 (dou2) turns the verb into an attainment marker ('managed to work 3 PM'), whereas Tone 3 (dou3) marks time limits ('work until 3 PM').

  • Placing a noun object between the verb and 到 (dou3).

    佢睇書到十點。
    佢睇書睇到十點。

    Cantonese requires verb copying (睇書睇到) or putting the object at the end when specifying an endpoint.

  • Using 得 (dak1) instead of 到 (dou3) to mark extreme result/extent.

    佢攰得瞓着咗。
    佢攰到瞓着咗。

    In Cantonese, 得 (dak1) evaluates manner (e.g., 跑得快), while 到 (dou3) marks extreme result/extent (攰到瞓着).

How It Connects

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

到（終點）Level 2Reach / Until

Learn This First

To understand '到' as an endpoint marker, you need to be familiar with basic Cantonese word order and how verbs are modified by particles to indicate the scope or result of an action.

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