一係...一係...

Either or (Ultimatum)

Level 4Sounds Like jat1 hai6 . . . jat1 hai6 . . .

The pattern 一係...一係... (jat1 hai6... jat1 hai6...) means "either A or B." It is used when only one of the options can be true or chosen, often carrying a firm or demanding tone.

How It Works

In Cantonese, expressing "or" depends heavily on the context. 一係...一係... is specifically used for exclusive choices in statements or commands.

Key characteristics include:

  • Ultimatums: It is the standard way to say "Either do X, or else Y." For example, "Either pay up or leave."
  • Placement: The phrase 係 (hai6) (to be) is preceded by 一 (jat1) (one). It is placed immediately before the verb phrase or clause it introduces.
  • Colloquial Suggestion: When used alone at the start of a sentence (without the second jat1 hai6), it functions as a soft suggestion, similar to "How about..." or "Why don't we..."
  • Register: This is a highly colloquial spoken form. In written contexts, you would typically see 要麼...要麼... (jiu3 mo1... jiu3 mo1...).

Examples (4)

  1. 你一係畀租，一係搬走。

    You either pay the rent, or move out.

    Word by Word: You one-is give rent, one-is move away.

    This is a classic ultimatum using the pattern to link two conflicting actions.

  2. 我哋一係去食日本菜，一係去食泰國菜。

    We'll either go eat Japanese food, or Thai food.

    Word by Word: We one-is go eat Japan food, one-is go eat Thai food.

    Here it presents two mutually exclusive options for a meal.

  3. 一係我哋去行山囉？

    How about we go hiking?

    Word by Word: One-is we go walk mountain [particle]?

    When used alone at the start, it functions as a suggestion. The particle 囉 (lo1) helps soften the tone.

  4. 佢一係喺公司，一係喺屋企。

    He is either at the office or at home.

    Word by Word: He one-is at company, one-is at home.

    This uses the pattern with the locative 喺 (hai2) to narrow down a location.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'jat1 hai6' in a question.

    你一係想飲茶一係想飲咖啡？
    你想飲茶定係飲咖啡？

    For questions where you ask someone to choose, 定係 (ding6 hai6) is the normal choice. 一係 (jat1 hai6) is for statements, suggestions or commands.

  • Using 或者…或者… when you mean a firm either-or order.

    Different Meaning你或者做功課，或者去瞓覺。
    你一係做功課，一係去瞓覺。

    你或者做功課，或者去瞓覺 is a good sentence, but it sounds like a loose offer: ‘maybe do homework, or maybe sleep’. For a firm ultimatum, use 一係…一係… (jat1 hai6).

How It Connects

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

一係...一係...Level 4Either or (Ultimatum)

Learn This First

To use '一係...一係...' (jat1 hai6... jat1 hai6...), learners need to understand the basic verb 'to be' (係) and how to structure simple statements. It is also helpful to understand the standard word for 'or' (或者) to appreciate that this pattern is used for more exclusive or forceful choices.

Words in This Pattern

一系