一嚟...二嚟...

Firstly Secondly

Level 4

Use 一嚟...二嚟... (jat1 lei4... ji6 lei4...) to list multiple reasons, similar to 'for one thing... for another...' in English.

How It Works

The pattern 一嚟...二嚟... is the most natural way to explain 'why' something is the case by providing a list of reasons.

1. Usage and Structure:
It typically attaches to full clauses. You state your main point first, then follow up with the reasons using the markers:

  • 一嚟 (jat1 lei4): Firstly / For one thing
  • 二嚟 (ji6 lei4): Secondly / For another thing

2. Register:
This is strictly colloquial. In formal writing, you would use 第一 (dai6 jat1) or the more literary 一來...二來... (jat1 loi4... ji6 loi4...). Using 嚟 (lei4) instead of 來 (loi4) is what makes it sound like natural, spoken Cantonese.

3. Nuance and Ambiguity:
It is often used when justifying a refusal or explaining a preference. Note that 一嚟 (jat1 lei4) has a second, unrelated meaning: 'right from the start' or 'immediately upon arrival' (often paired with 就). You can distinguish them because the 'reasons' pattern is almost always followed by a second reason starting with 二嚟.

4. Adding More Reasons:
While it usually lists two reasons, you can occasionally add a third using 三嚟 (saam1 lei4), though listing more than two reasons this way is rare in casual speech.

Examples (4)

  1. 我唔想去旅行，一嚟冇錢，二嚟冇時間。

    I don't want to go traveling; for one thing, I have no money, and for another, I have no time.

    Word by Word: I not want go travel, one come not-have money, two come not-have time.

    Here, the speaker uses the pattern to justify why they are refusing to travel.

  2. 呢間餐廳好受歡迎，一嚟嘢食好味，二嚟價錢公道。

    This restaurant is very popular; firstly, the food is delicious, and secondly, the prices are fair.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] restaurant very receive welcome, one come food delicious, two come price fair.

    This shows the pattern used for positive justifications.

  3. 我唔買呢部車，一嚟太貴，二嚟個樣好醜。

    I'm not buying this car; for one, it's too expensive, and for another, it looks really ugly.

    Word by Word: I not buy this [classifier] car, one come too expensive, two come [classifier] appearance very ugly.

    The speaker lists two negative attributes to explain their decision not to buy the car.

  4. 佢唔嚟玩，一嚟要加班，二嚟佢唔舒服。

    He isn't coming to hang out; for one thing, he has to work overtime, and for another, he's not feeling well.

    Word by Word: He not come play, one come need add-shift, two come he not comfortable.

    This explains someone else's situation using two contributing factors.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the pattern for a sequence of events instead of reasons.

    一嚟我返屋企，二嚟我食飯。
    我先返屋企，跟住食飯。

    一嚟...二嚟... is only for listing reasons. To describe a sequence (first I did X, then Y), use 先 (sin1) and 跟住 (gan1 zyu6).

  • Confusing the 'reasons' pattern with the 'immediate action' meaning.

    佢一嚟就二嚟鬧我。
    佢一嚟就鬧我。

    When 一嚟 (jat1 lei4) is followed by 就 (zau6), it means 'immediately upon arrival' or 'right from the start'. In this context, you cannot pair it with 二嚟 (ji6 lei4).

  • Writing 一來 in a colloquial Cantonese sentence.

    Different Meaning一來冇錢，二來冇時間。
    一嚟冇錢，二嚟冇時間。

    一來冇錢，二來冇時間 is fine in written Chinese. In written Cantonese that matches speech, 嚟 (lai4) is the usual character: 一嚟冇錢，二嚟冇時間.

How It Connects

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

一嚟...二嚟...Level 4Firstly Secondly

Learn This First

The pattern '一嚟...二嚟...' is used to list two primary reasons for a decision or situation. To understand it, learners should be familiar with basic numbers and the concept of linking clauses to provide reasons, similar to 'because'.