落去
Keep on Doing It
Verb + 落去 (lok6 heoi3) = 'Keep on doing [verb]'. It emphasizes persistence or continuation of an action that has already started.
How It Works
The pattern 落去 (lok6 heoi3) is a compound directional complement that has evolved into a grammatical tool for expressing duration and persistence.
Key characteristics include:
- Continuation: It implies the action is already happening and will persist. It often carries a nuance of 'carrying on' despite obstacles or simply continuing a trajectory.
- Potential Forms: It is very common in the potential construction. V + 得 + 落去 means 'can bear to/can continue doing,' while V + 唔 + 落去 means 'cannot continue/cannot stand to do it anymore.'
- Negative Consequences: In many contexts, using 落去 implies that if the action continues, something bad might happen (e.g., 'If you keep eating like that...').
- Object Constraints: Unlike Standard Chinese, Cantonese is quite strict about objects. You generally cannot place an object directly after 落去. The object should be mentioned beforehand or understood from context.
Examples (5)
- 你再食落去會病㗎。
If you keep on eating [like that], you will get sick.
Word by Word: You again eat continue will sick [particle].
Here, 食落去 (sik6 lok6 heoi3) shows the action of eating continuing into the future with a warning.
- 呢份工我真係做唔落去。
I really cannot keep doing this job [anymore].
Word by Word: This [classifier] job I really do not continue.
做唔落去 (zou6 m4 lok6 heoi3) is a very common way to say one cannot endure or continue a task.
- 俾佢講落去啦。
Let him continue speaking.
Word by Word: Let him speak continue [particle].
講落去 (gong2 lok6 heoi3) indicates that the person should not be interrupted and should persist in their speech.
- 我哋行落去就到喇。
If we keep walking, we will arrive.
Word by Word: We walk continue then arrive [particle].
行落去 (haang4 lok6 heoi3) here can mean both the physical direction 'walk down' or the aspectual 'keep walking'.
- 聽落去你就知發生咩事。
Keep listening and you will know what happened.
Word by Word: Listen continue you then know happen what matter.
聽落去 (teng1 lok6 heoi3) encourages the listener to persist with the audio or story.
Common Mistakes
Placing the object directly after the pattern.
我唔想睇落去呢本書。呢本書我唔想睇落去。In Cantonese, 落去 (lok6 heoi3) does not like to be followed by an object. It is better to move the object to the front (topicalization).
Using it for an action that hasn't started yet.
聽日我會開始做落去。聽日我會繼續做。落去 (lok6 heoi3) implies the action is already in progress. If you are just starting, use 繼續 (gai3 zuk6 - continue) or simply the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '落去' (keep on doing), you first need to be familiar with the literal directional use of '落' (down) and '去' (away). This pattern builds on those directional concepts to express the metaphorical idea of 'moving forward' or 'continuing' with an action that has already started.
- V+落Verb + Downward
Understanding '落' as a directional verb complement (downward) is necessary before learning its extended metaphorical use for continuing an action.
Level 2 - Verb aspect basics
Since '落去' functions as a directional aspect marker indicating an action is under way, a basic understanding of how Cantonese verbs use particles to show aspect is essential.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- 起上嚟Start Doing It
The functional opposite; 起上嚟 (hei2 soeng5 lei4) marks the start of an action, while 落去 marks the continuation.
Level 4 - V+唔落Cannot Bring Yourself to
The negative potential form specifically used when one cannot bring themselves to continue an action.
Level 4 - 緊Progressive Aspect
While 緊 (gan2) shows an action is currently happening, 落去 focuses on the fact that it will keep happening into the future.
Level 1 - 住Durative Aspect
住 (zyu6) indicates a continuous state, while 落去 indicates a continuous active process.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 落去 in Bubblegum
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