咁 + Adjective + 都

Even at That

Level 4

Use 咁 (gam3) + Adjective + 都 (dou1) to say 'Even though it is so [Adjective], [Subject] still [Verb].'

How It Works

The 咁 + Adj + 都 pattern is a staple of spoken Cantonese. It functions as a concessive emphasis structure, similar to 'even', 'despite', 'still', or 'anyway' in English.

1. Structure:
The structure is flexible regarding the subject: [(Subject)] + [咁 (gam3) + Adjective] + [(Subject)] + [都 (dou1) + Verb/Predicate].

  • 咁 (gam3): A degree marker meaning 'so' or 'this'. It must be pronounced in the 3rd tone (mid-level).
  • 都 (dou1): The marker for 'even', 'still', or 'anyway'. Crucially, it must appear after the subject and before the verb.

2. Nuance and Tone:
This pattern is rarely neutral. It usually implies:

  • Criticism: 'It's so expensive, and you're still buying it?' (Implies you shouldn't).
  • Admiration: 'It's so hard, and he can still do it?' (Implies he is very capable).
  • Complaint: 'It's so late, and you're just getting home?'

3. Register:
This is strictly colloquial Cantonese. In formal writing, you would use 雖然...但係... (seoi1 jin4... daan6 hai6), but in daily speech, 咁...都 is much more natural and impactful.

Examples (4)

  1. 咁貴你都買呀？

    You're buying it even at that price?

    Word by Word: so expensive you even buy [particle]?

    Here, 咁貴 (gam3 gwai3) sets the extreme condition, and 都 (dou1) emphasizes the disbelief that the person is still buying it anyway.

  2. 你咁夜都仲去行街？

    You're still going out for a walk even this late?

    Word by Word: you so late even still go walk street?

    This example shows the subject (你 nei5) at the beginning. 咁夜 (gam3 je6) means 'this late'. The speaker is surprised the person is still going out despite the time.

  3. 咁難嘅題目佢都識做，真係犀利。

    He knows how to do even such a difficult problem; he's really impressive.

    Word by Word: so difficult [possessive] problem he even know do, really impressive.

    This uses the pattern for praise. The difficulty of the problem makes his ability to solve it anyway more impressive.

  4. 咁凍你都著短衫？

    You're wearing a T-shirt even though it's this cold?

    Word by Word: so cold you even wear short shirt?

    The speaker is expressing shock at the person's choice of clothing, implying they are wearing it 'anyway' despite the extreme temperature.

Common Mistakes

  • Misplacing the marker 都 (dou1).

    咁貴都你買呀？
    咁貴你都買呀？

    In Cantonese, 都 (dou1) must come after the subject (你 nei5) and before the verb (買 maai5). It cannot be placed immediately after the adjective if a subject follows.

  • Using the wrong tone for 咁.

    噉貴你都買？ (gam2 gwai3...)
    咁貴你都買？ (gam3 gwai3...)

    When 咁 is used as a degree marker ('so/this'), it must be tone 3 (gam3). Tone 2 (gam2) usually means 'in this way' or 'like this'.

How It Connects

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

咁 + Adjective + 都Level 4Even at That

Learn This First

This pattern combines the degree marker 咁 (gam3) with the inclusive particle 都 to create a concessive meaning ('even at that level'). Learners must first understand how 咁 modifies adjectives and how 都 is used to indicate 'even' or 'also' in a sentence.

Words in This Pattern