過（重做）

In Cantonese, when you want to say 'rewrite it,' 'say it again,' or 're-do it' from the very beginning, you use the suffix 過 (gwo3). Note that this iterative marker is usually pronounced exactly the same as the experiential aspect marker 過 (gwo3). However, in casual spoken Cantonese, some speakers apply a changed tone (Tone 2) to the iterative marker, pronouncing it as gwo2 (e.g., 做過 zou6 gwo2 - do it over). The experiential marker never takes this tone change. Because they often sound identical otherwise, Cantonese uses specific sentence structures to make it clear when you mean 'do it over' rather than 'have done it before.'

1. The 'Restart' Nuance
While English uses 'again' for both simple repetition and starting over, Cantonese distinguishes them. Using 過 suggests the previous attempt was unsatisfactory or that you are beginning the entire process anew. For example, se2 gwo3 (寫過) doesn't just mean 'write another one,' it means 'rewrite this one from the start.'

2. The 'Replacement' Nuance
Iterative 過 is also used when replacing something. If you lose your keys or break a cup, you maai5 gwo3 (買過 - buy a replacement) rather than just maai5 do1 go3 (buy one more).

3. The Wrap-around Construction
To avoid confusion with other meanings of 過, speakers typically use the pattern:

• 再 (zoi3) + Verb + 過 (gwo3)
• 又再 (jau6 zoi3) + Verb + 過 (gwo3) (once again)
• 重新 (cung4 san1) + Verb + 過 (gwo3) (anew / afresh)
• 從頭 (cung4 tau4) + Verb + 過 (gwo3) (from the beginning)

4. The Bare Classifier Structure
When the verb has an object, the most reliable way to distinguish the iterative from the experiential is the Bare Classifier Structure: Verb + 過 + [Classifier] + Noun. For example, wan2 gwo3 fan6 gung1 (搵過份工 - find a new job) is iterative, while wan2 gwo3 gung1 (搵過工 - have looked for a job before) is experiential.

5. Object Placement with Pronouns
When the object is a pronoun, it comes after the iterative marker (e.g., 寫過佢 / se2 gwo3 keoi5 - 'rewrite it'), exactly as it does with the experiential marker (e.g., 見過佢 / gin3 gwo3 keoi5 - 'have seen him').

6. Completion with 咗
Unlike the experiential marker (which cannot take 咗), the iterative 過 (gwo3) can be followed by the perfective aspect marker 咗 (zo2) to indicate completion (e.g., 重新寫過咗 / cung4 san1 se2 gwo3 zo2 - 'rewrote it'). You can also express completion of a restarted action by using the sentence-final particle 喇 (laa3) (e.g., 我買過喇 / ngo5 maai5 gwo3 laa3 - 'I bought a replacement already').

7. Negation Differences
For future or habitual actions, the iterative is negated with 唔 (m4) and usually a modal (e.g., ngo5 m4 wui5 se2 gwo3 / 我唔會寫過 = I won't rewrite it). For negative imperatives, use 唔好 (m4 hou2) (e.g., m4 hou2 zoi3 zou6 gwo3 / 唔好再做過 = don't redo it). However, for past events, the iterative uses 冇 (mou5) just like the experiential marker. Because mou5 se2 gwo3 (冇寫過) usually defaults to the experiential meaning ('have not written it before'), speakers rely on wrap-around adverbs or bare classifiers to force the iterative reading. For example, mou5 cung4 san1 se2 gwo3 (冇重新寫過 = didn't rewrite it) or mou5 maai5 gwo3 bou6 (冇買過部 = didn't buy a replacement). Similarly, because 未寫過 (mei6 se2 gwo3) naturally defaults to the experiential meaning ('haven't written it before'), learners must use the wrap-around construction to say 'haven't rewritten it yet' (e.g., 未重新寫過 / mei6 cung4 san1 se2 gwo3).

8. The Universal 'Start Over' Phrase
A highly common standalone phrase using this pattern is lai4 gwo3 (嚟過). While 嚟 literally means 'to come', in this context it acts as a dummy verb meaning 'to do'. Saying lai4 gwo3! (嚟過！) is a common Cantonese way to say 'Let's start over!' or 'Do it again!'

9. Softening with Sentence-Final Particles
When using the iterative 過 (gwo3) for commands or suggestions, speakers rarely use the bare verb phrase (e.g., 寫過) on its own. It is naturally softened by appending sentence-final particles like 啦 (laa1) or 喇 (laa3) (e.g., se2 gwo3 laa1 / 寫過啦 - rewrite it!).

10. Verb Types
Note that the iterative 過 (gwo3) only applies to dynamic or action verbs (like 寫 se2, 做 zou6, 買 maai5). It cannot be used with stative verbs or adjectives.