咁 (gam3)

So / That (Degree)

Level 2Sounds Like gam3

咁 (gam3) places emphasis on degree ('so/that') or sets a contextual comparison benchmark ('as ... as'). Pronounced in Tone 3, it precedes adjectives or stative words.

How It Works

咁 (gam3) is an essential degree modifier in spoken Cantonese. It serves three main functions:

1. High Degree or Exclamation ("so...")
When placed before an adjective or adverb, 咁 expresses strong degree, surprise, or emphasis.
• 今日咁熱 (gam1 jat6 gam3 jit6) = It is so hot today!

2. Contextual / Visual Benchmark ("that...")
It references a visible or situational benchmark, equivalent to 'that big' or 'this expensive' in English (often accompanied by physical gestures).
• 呢幅畫咁貴 (ni1 fuk1 waa2 gam3 gwai3) = This painting is that / so expensive.

3. Comparisons of Equality ("as... as")
In comparative frames, 咁 functions as the required degree marker:
• 有...咁 = as [adjective] as (e.g., 我有佢咁高 = I am as tall as him)
• 冇...咁 = not as [adjective] as (e.g., 佢冇你咁高 = He is not as tall as you)

Crucial Pronunciation Note:
咁 must be pronounced in Tone 3 (gam3). Do not confuse it with 噉 (gam2, Tone 2), which means 'in this way' or 'then'.

Examples (4)

  1. 今日咁熱，不如留喺屋企啦。

    It's so hot today, why don't we stay home?

    Word by Word: Today so hot, how about stay at home [particle].

    Here, 咁 (gam3) expresses exclamatory degree modifying the adjective 熱 (jit6, hot).

  2. 佢冇你咁高。

    He is not as tall as you.

    Word by Word: He not-have you so tall.

    Used in the negative comparison pattern 冇...咁 (mou5... gam3) to mean 'not as... as'.

  3. 呢幅畫咁貴，我買唔起。

    This painting is so expensive, I can't afford it.

    Word by Word: This painting so expensive, I buy not afford.

    咁 (gam3) modifies 貴 (gwai3, expensive) to highlight a high degree based on current context.

  4. 你點解食得咁少？

    Why are you eating so little?

    Word by Word: You why eat [manner] so little?

    咁 (gam3) modifies the quantity word 少 (siu2, little) after a manner complement.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 咁 (gam3, Tone 3) with 噉 (gam2, Tone 2) when describing degree vs action manner.

    佢噉高 (keoi5 gam2 gou1)
    佢咁高 (keoi5 gam3 gou1)

    When expressing degree ('so tall'), use 咁 (gam3) in Tone 3. 噉 (gam2) in Tone 2 is used for actions ('do it like this').

  • Using 好 (hou2) instead of 咁 (gam3) in comparative structures.

    佢冇你好高 (keoi5 mou5 nei5 hou2 gou1)
    佢冇你咁高 (keoi5 mou5 nei5 gam3 gou1)

    In comparative structures like 冇...咁 (mou5... gam3), Cantonese strictly requires 咁 (gam3) rather than 好 (hou2).

How It Connects

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咁 (gam3)Level 2So / That (Degree)

Learn This First

To use 咁 (gam3) to express degree, you need to understand how adjectives work in Cantonese (stative verbs) and how they are typically modified by degree markers like '好' (hou2) in a standard sentence.

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