Indefinite after the verb

Level 3

In Cantonese, when you put a classifier directly before a noun after a verb (e.g., 買本書), it functions as an indefinite article like "a" or "an" in English. It is essentially a shortened version of "one + classifier + noun" (jat1 + CL + N).

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of colloquial Cantonese. Here are the key rules for using it:

1. Indefinite Meaning: In the post-verbal (object) position, this pattern usually means "a/an." For example, 飲杯茶 (jam2 bui1 caa4) means "drink a cup of tea."
2. The "One" Deletion: This only works for the number "one" (jat1). If you mean "two" or "three," you must say the number.
3. Position Matters: This is the most important rule. If the CL + Noun appears before the verb (as the subject), it becomes definite ("the").

  • Object: 我想買本書 (I want to buy a book).
  • Subject: 本書好貴 (The book is expensive).

4. Register: This is highly informal and natural. Using the full "jat1 + CL + N" in a casual conversation can sound overly formal or like you are specifically emphasizing the quantity "exactly one."

Examples (4)

  1. 我想飲杯茶。

    I want to drink a cup of tea.

    Word by Word: I want drink [classifier] tea

    Here, 杯 (bui1) is the classifier for cups. Dropping the 'one' (jat1) makes it sound natural and indefinite.

  2. 佢買咗部電腦。

    He bought a computer.

    Word by Word: He buy [perfective] [classifier] computer

    部 (bou6) is the classifier for machines. Using it after the verb zo2 indicates he bought 'a' computer, not a specific one previously discussed.

  3. 畀支筆我。

    Give me a pen.

    Word by Word: Give [classifier] pen me

    支 (zi1) is the classifier for long, cylindrical objects like pens. In this context, it usually means 'any pen' or 'a pen' that is nearby.

  4. 我噚日睇咗齣戲。

    I watched a movie yesterday.

    Word by Word: I yesterday watch [perfective] [classifier] movie

    齣 (ceot1) is the classifier for films. This is the standard way to report seeing 'a' movie.

Common Mistakes

  • Using CL + Noun at the start of a sentence when you mean 'a'.

    Different Meaning個男人嚟咗。
    有個男人嚟咗。

    個男人嚟咗 is a normal sentence, but 個男人 is definite: 'The man came'. To say 'A man came', use the existential jau5 (there is).

  • Thinking 一個 (jat1 go3) is wrong.

    Different Meaning我想買一個蘋果。
    我想買個蘋果。

    我想買一個蘋果 is natural and stresses 'one'. Dropping 一 (jat1) in 我想買個蘋果 is the casual form and just means 'an apple'.

How It Connects

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

Indefinite after the verbLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand how a bare classifier and noun function after a verb, you first need to be comfortable with Cantonese classifiers and how they typically mark definiteness. You also need to understand basic sentence structure to recognize the object position where this specific indefinite/definite ambiguity occurs.