囉 (lo1)

Well Obviously

Level 2Sounds Like lo1

The sentence-final particle 囉 (lo1, Tone 1 high level) is spoken Cantonese for 'obviously', 'duh', or 'well then'. It tells the listener that what you are saying is self-evident from context, logically inevitable, or the only sensible option left.

How It Works

Function and Meaning
囉 (lo1) is pronounced with a high level pitch (Tone 1, 55). It serves an evidential function in casual spoken Cantonese, signaling that the statement or conclusion is obvious, expected, or logically inevitable.

1. Stating the Obvious or Self-Evident Fact
When added to statements or answers, 囉 (lo1) highlights that the outcome should be clear to anyone given the situation.
• Example: 冇車咪行路囉 (mou5 ce1 mai6 haang4 lou6 lo1) = 'There's no car, so obviously we just walk.'

2. Echoing Agreement (係囉 / 咪係囉)
When combined with affirmative words like 係 (hai6) or 咪 (mai6), it forms an emphatic agreement marker equivalent to 'Exactly!' or 'Well obviously!':
• 係囉！ (hai6 lo1!) = 'Right! / Exactly!'
• 咪係囉！ (mai6 hai6 lo1!) = 'Well obviously! / Exactly what I said!'

3. Reluctance or Resignation
When answering a prompt or accepting a decision, 囉 (lo1) conveys a shrug or a sense of 'Fine then / What else can I do?':
• 得囉 (dak1 lo1) = 'Fine then, whatever.'

4. Exasperation or Sarcasm
When delivered with sharp intonation or used in complaints, 囉 (lo1) gives the phrase a dismissive edge:
• 對唔住囉 (deoi3 m4 zyu6 lo1) = 'Sorry then, geez!'

Key Distinction: Tone Matters!
Do not confuse 囉 pronounced with Tone 1 (lo1) with 囉 (lo3, Tone 3)! Tone 3 indicates a changed state ('now / already'), whereas Tone 1 marks self-evidence or reluctance.

Examples (4)

  1. 咪係囉！

    Exactly! / Well obviously!

    Word by Word: then - is - lo1

    A very common phrase used to strongly agree with someone, meaning 'That's exactly right!' or 'Obviously!'

  2. 冇車咪行路囉。

    If there's no car, then we'll just walk.

    Word by Word: not-have - car - then - walk - road - lo1

    Uses the common collocation 咪...囉 (mai6...lo1) to express an obvious logical fallback.

  3. 你唔講我點知囉？

    If you don't tell me, how would I know?

    Word by Word: you - not - speak - I - how - know - lo1

    Conveys exasperation that the situation should be self-evident to the listener.

  4. 好啦，咁做囉。

    Fine then, we'll do it that way.

    Word by Word: good - laa1 - so - do - lo1

    Shows reluctant agreement or resignation, similar to 'Fine then, whatever'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Tone 3 (lo3) where you mean 'obviously' (lo1)

    Different Meaning冇車咪行路囉 (mou5 ce1 mai5 haang4 lou6 lo3)
    冇車咪行路囉 (mou5 ce1 mai5 haang4 lou6 lo1)

    With Tone 3 (lo3) the sentence is fine, but it marks a changed state or a suggestion ('Then let's walk now'). To say 'obviously' or give a logical fallback, use Tone 1 (lo1).

  • Using 囉 (lo1) in a sincere apology

    對唔住囉！
    對唔住呀。

    Adding 囉 (lo1) to an apology makes it sound sarcastic or passive-aggressive ('Sorry then, geez!'). Use 呀 (aa3) for a genuine apology.

How It Connects

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囉 (lo1)Level 2Well Obviously

Learn This First

囉 (lo1) is a sentence-final particle used to point out something obvious or to agree with someone in a 'well, duh' manner. To use it correctly, learners need to be comfortable with the concept of sentence-final particles and how Cantonese tones change the emotional 'flavor' of a sentence.

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Words in This Pattern

啰