結果

As It Turned Out

Level 4Sounds Like git3 gwo2

結果 (git3 gwo2) means 'as it turned out' or 'consequently.' It connects an action or plan to its final outcome, especially when that outcome is a surprise.

How It Works

結果 (git3 gwo2) is a versatile Level 4 pattern used to link two clauses. The first clause describes a situation, intention, or process, and the second clause (starting with 結果) describes the final reality.

1. The Nuance of Expectation
Unlike simple causal markers like 所以 (so2 ji5), 結果 often implies that the outcome was not necessarily what was planned. It carries the sense of 'only to find that' or 'in the end.'

2. Standard Word Order
In Cantonese, 結果 almost always appears at the start of the second clause, before the subject. For example: 我搵咗佢好耐，結果佢冇嚟 (ngo5 wan2 zo2 keoi5 hou2 noi6, git3 gwo2 keoi5 mou5 lei4) - 'I looked for him for a long time, as it turned out he didn't come.'

3. Pairing with 都 (dou1)
結果 is frequently paired with 都 (dou1) or 都係 (dou1 hai6) to emphasize that an outcome occurred despite previous efforts or intentions. For example: 我試咗好多次，結果都係唔得 (ngo5 si3 zo2 hou2 do1 ci3, git3 gwo2 dou1 hai6 m4 dak1) - 'I tried many times, but in the end, it still didn't work.'

4. Noun vs. Conjunction
When used as a noun, it follows classifiers or possessives: 呢個結果 (ni1 go3 git3 gwo2) - 'this result'. As a conjunction, it stands alone at the start of the clause to narrate a conclusion.

Examples (4)

  1. 我本來諗住去英國，結果去唔成。

    I originally planned to go to England, but as it turned out, I couldn't make it.

    Word by Word: I originally plan stay go England, result go not-succeed.

    Here, 結果 (git3 gwo2) introduces a result that subverts the original plan (諗住 nam2 zyu6).

  2. 佢尋晚開夜車，結果今日返工遲到。

    He stayed up all night working; consequently, he was late for work today.

    Word by Word: He last-night open night-car, result today return-work late-arrive.

    In this case, 結果 (git3 gwo2) shows a direct negative consequence of an action.

  3. 我以為呢間餐廳好貴，結果原來好平。

    I thought this restaurant was expensive, but it turned out to be very cheap.

    Word by Word: I thought this-CL restaurant very expensive, result originally very cheap.

    This shows that 結果 (git3 gwo2) can be used for positive surprises, not just bad news.

  4. 佢哋嘈咗好耐，結果邊個都唔肯讓步。

    They argued for a long time, and in the end, neither side was willing to give in.

    Word by Word: They argue-PFV very long, result who all not willing yield-step.

    結果 (git3 gwo2) marks the final state of a long process or conflict.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 結果 (git3 gwo2) when you only mean the last item in a list.

    Different Meaning首先我哋去食飯，結果我哋去睇戲。
    首先我哋去食飯，最後我哋去睇戲。

    首先我哋去食飯，結果我哋去睇戲 is a good sentence, but 結果 says ‘as it turned out’: the plan changed or an outcome followed. For ‘lastly’ in a plain sequence, use 最後 (zeoi3 hau6), which is a common adverb rather than a grammar pattern of its own.

  • Using 結果 (git3 gwo2) for a plain reason-and-result link.

    Different Meaning出面落雨，結果我唔去街。
    出面落雨，<grammar expression="所以">所以</grammar>我唔去街。

    出面落雨，結果我唔去街 is a natural narrative sentence: ‘it rained, so in the end I did not go out’. 結果 tells what the outcome turned out to be. For a plain ‘so/therefore’ link, use 所以 (so2 ji5).

How It Connects

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

結果Level 4As It Turned Out

Learn This First

The pattern '結果' (as it turned out) is used to introduce a result that often deviates from an original plan. To use it effectively, learners need to be able to express their original intentions (using '諗住'), understand how to contrast two clauses (similar to '但係'), and describe the resulting state or action, which is often a negation of the original plan (using '冇').

Words in This Pattern

结果