應該（推測）

Should Be / Probably

Level 3Sounds Like jing1 goi1

應該 (jing1 goi1) is the primary way to say 'should' or 'probably' when making a logical guess. It suggests that based on what you know, something is likely true.

How It Works

應該 (jing1 goi1) functions as an auxiliary verb and is placed before the main verb or adjective.

1. Basic Structure:
Subject + 應該 + Verb/Adjective
Example: 佢應該到咗 (keoi5 jing1 goi1 dou3 zo2) - He should have arrived.

2. Using with Nouns and Past Framing:
When you are inferring that something 'is' a certain noun, you must include the copula 係 (hai6).
Structure: Subject + 應該 + 係 + Noun
Example: 呢把遮應該係佢嘅 (ni1 baa2 ze1 jing1 goi1 hai6 keoi5 ge3) - This umbrella should be hers.

Note: 應該係 is also frequently used before a whole verb phrase to frame a past inference as 'it is likely the case that...'.
Example: 應該係佢攞咗 (jing1 goi1 hai6 keoi5 lo2 zo2) - It should be that he took it.

3. Future Probability:
To explicitly mark that something will probably happen in the future, 會 (wui5) is typically added after 應該.
Example: 聽日應該會落雨 (ting1 jat6 jing1 goi1 wui5 lok6 jyu5) - It should probably rain tomorrow.

4. Negation:
To express 'probably not' or 'should not', place the negator 唔 (m4) after 應該.
Structure: 應該 + 唔 + 會/係/Verb
Example: 佢應該唔會嚟 (keoi5 jing1 goi1 m4 wui5 lei4) - He probably won't come.

5. Past Inferences vs. Failed Obligations:
應該 is used for logical inferences (e.g., 'He should have arrived by now'). If you want to express a 'failed obligation' (something that was supposed to happen but didn't), you should use 本來應該 (bun2 loi4 jing1 goi1) instead.
Example: 佢本來應該嚟，但係佢冇到 (keoi5 bun2 loi4 jing1 goi1 lei4, daan6 hai6 keoi5 mou5 dou3) - He should have come, but he didn't arrive.

6. Forming Questions:
For logical inferences, speakers typically use a statement followed by a question particle like 呀? (aa4) or 㗎? (gaa4). The A-not-A pattern (應唔應該) is usually reserved for asking about moral or social obligations, not logical guesses.

7. Probability vs. Certainty:
應該 (jing1 goi1) is stronger than 可能 (ho2 nang4) ('maybe'), but less certain than 一定 (jat1 ding6) ('definitely'). It implies you have a logical reason for your guess.

Examples (4)

  1. 佢應該到咗喇。

    He should have arrived by now.

    Word by Word: He should arrive [perfective] [change of state].

    The use of 咗 (zo2) indicates the arrival has likely already happened, and 喇 (laa3) suggests it should be the case by this point in time.

  2. 聽日應該唔會落雨。

    It probably won't rain tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow should not will fall rain.

    Here, 應該 is used with 會 (wui5) to predict a future event based on evidence like a weather forecast.

  3. 呢支筆應該係你嘅。

    This pen should be yours.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] pen should be you [possessive].

    When identifying a noun (the owner), we use 應該 followed by 係 (hai6) and the possessive 嘅 (ge3).

  4. 佢應該仲喺公司度。

    He should still be at the office.

    Word by Word: He should still at company [place suffix].

    This uses 應該 with the locative 喺 (hai2) to infer someone's current location.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 應該 for something certain, when it sounds like a guess.

    Different Meaning聽日應該係星期一。
    聽日一定係星期一。

    聽日應該係星期一 is a natural sentence, but 應該 makes it sound like a guess ('should be Monday'). For something certain like the calendar, use 一定 (jat1 ding6).

  • Omitting 'hai6' when followed by a noun.

    呢個應該佢嘅。
    呢個應該係佢嘅。

    In Cantonese, you cannot link 'should' directly to a noun phrase; you must use the verb 係 (hai6) to mean 'should BE'.

How It Connects

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應該（推測）Level 3Should Be / Probably

Learn This First

To understand '應該' as an inferential marker (meaning 'probably' or 'should be'), learners first need to be familiar with its basic meaning of obligation. Additionally, because this pattern is often used to guess about completed actions or new states, understanding the perfective aspect '咗' and the change-of-state particle '喇' is essential for natural usage.

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