X唔X

Affirmative-Negative Question

Level 1Sounds Like m4

The X唔X pattern forms neutral yes-no questions by pairing a word with its negative form using 唔 (m4). For example, 去唔去 (heoi3 m4 heoi3) means 'going or not going?'

How It Works

Understanding the X唔X Pattern

The X唔X structure (often called the A-not-A question form) is the primary way to ask neutral yes-no questions in Cantonese. Unlike question particles that express surprise or skepticism, this pattern carries no bias and invites a direct choice.

1. Monosyllabic Words (X + 唔 + X)
For single-syllable verbs, modal verbs, or adjectives, repeat the word with 唔 (m4) in the middle:

  • 去唔去 (heoi3 m4 heoi3) - Going or not going?
  • 熱唔熱 (jit6 m4 jit6) - Hot or not?
  • 識唔識 (sik1 m4 sik1) - Do you know how to or not?

2. Disyllabic Words (A唔AB)
For two-syllable words, natural spoken Cantonese shortens the affirmative part to just the first syllable:

3. Key Exceptions & Rules

  • The Verb 有 (jau5): Never use 唔 with 有. The negative form is 冇 (mou5), so always ask 有冇 (jau5 mou5).
  • Past/Completed Actions: X唔X cannot be used for completed past events. Use 有冇 + V or V + 咗 + 未 instead.
  • No Degree Adverbs: You cannot add degree words like 好 (hou2) inside the question predicate.
  • Answering Rule: You normally do not reply with 係 (hai6) or 唔係 (m4 hai6) unless the main verb itself is 係. Answer by repeating the verb in affirmative (e.g., 去 heoi3) or negative (唔去 m4 heoi3).

Examples (4)

  1. 你去唔去呀？

    Are you going?

    Word by Word: you go-not-go particle?

    Uses single-syllable verb 去 (heoi3) in the X唔X pattern with softening particle 呀 (aa3).

  2. 你鍾唔鍾意食廣東菜？

    Do you like Cantonese food?

    Word by Word: you like-not-like eat Cantonese dish?

    Demonstrates the two-syllable verb pattern A唔AB with 鍾意 (zung1 ji3).

  3. 呢度熱唔熱呀？

    Is it hot here?

    Word by Word: here hot-not-hot particle?

    Shows the pattern applied to a stative adjective 熱 (jit6).

  4. 你識唔識講廣東話？

    Can you speak Cantonese?

    Word by Word: you know-not-know speak Cantonese language?

    Applies the pattern to the modal verb 識 (sik1, know how to).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 唔 (m4) to negate the verb 有 (jau5) instead of 冇 (mou5).

    你有唔有書呀？
    你有冇書呀？

    The verb 有 (jau5, to have) is never negated with 唔 (m4). Always use 有冇 (jau5 mou5) for 'do you have'.

  • Adding question particles like 嗎 (maa3) or 咩 (me1) at the end.

    你去唔去嗎？
    你去唔去呀？

    The X唔X structure already forms a complete question. Polar question particles are redundant (though softening particles like 呀 aa3 are allowed).

  • Answering with 係 (hai6) for non-係 verbs.

    Q: 你食唔食呀？ A: 係。
    Q: 你食唔食呀？ A: 食 / 唔食。

    To answer an X唔X question, repeat either the affirmative verb (食) or negative verb (唔食), rather than using 係 (hai6).

How It Connects

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X唔XLevel 1Affirmative-Negative Question

Learn This First

To learn the affirmative-negative question, you must first understand how to negate a verb or adjective using '唔'. It is also helpful to recognize that Cantonese often forms questions through internal structural repetition rather than relying on a specific question particle at the end of the sentence.

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