Clause + 嗰 + Classifier + Noun

Relative Clause with a Classifier

Level 3Sounds Like ming4 ci4

Clause + (嗰 go2 / 呢 ni1) + Classifier + Noun

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of natural, spoken Cantonese. While the particle 嘅 (ge3) is often used to link descriptions to nouns, this 'Classifier Relative' structure is the preferred way to refer to specific items already known to the speaker and listener.

Structure:
1. The Clause: A short verb phrase or subject-verb phrase (e.g., 我買 ngo5 maai5 'I bought'). This structure is best suited for short clauses; longer, more complex descriptions usually use the 嘅 (ge3) structure instead.
2. The Demonstrative (Optional): You can use 嗰 (go2 - 'that') or 呢 (ni1 - 'this') to be very specific. However, in Cantonese, a bare classifier (e.g., 我買本書 ngo5 maai5 bun2 syu1) is often enough to indicate 'the' specific item.
3. The Classifier: You must use the classifier that matches the noun (e.g., 本 (bun2) for books, 隻 (zek3) for animals). For plural nouns, use the plural classifier 啲 (di1).
4. The Noun: The person or thing being described.

Ambiguity and the Hybrid Form:
Because the structure is identical to a standalone sentence (e.g., 我買嗰本書 can mean 'I am buying that book' or 'The book I bought...'), context is key. To remove ambiguity while keeping the specific feel, speakers sometimes use a hybrid structure by adding 嘅 (ge3) after the classifier (e.g., 我買嗰本嘅書).

Why use this instead of 嘅 (ge3)?
Using 嘅 (ge3) is more general or descriptive (e.g., 'books I like'). Using the classifier makes it referential (e.g., 'the book I bought'). It functions like a definite article ('the') combined with a relative clause ('that...').

Examples (4)

  1. 你買嗰本書好貴。

    That book you bought is very expensive.

    Word by Word: You buy that [CL: volume] book very expensive.

    Here, the clause '你買' (you buy) describes the specific book identified by '嗰本' (that volume).

  2. 頭先飛走嗰隻雀仔係紅色嘅。

    The bird that just flew away is red.

    Word by Word: Just now fly away that [CL: animal] bird is red [particle].

    The classifier 隻 (zek3) is used because the noun is a bird (雀仔 zoek3 zai2).

  3. 我識嗰啲學生全部都好勤力。

    Those students I know are all very hardworking.

    Word by Word: I know those [CL: plural] student all [all] very hardworking.

    When referring to multiple people, the plural classifier 啲 (di1) is used.

  4. 我著緊呢件衫係尋日買嘅。

    This shirt I'm wearing was bought yesterday.

    Word by Word: I wear [progressive] this [CL: clothing] shirt is yesterday buy [particle].

    This example follows the 'Clause + 呢 (ni1) + CL + Noun' pattern to specify the exact shirt being worn.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the classifier.

    我買嗰書好貴。
    我買嗰本書好貴。

    In Cantonese, you cannot skip the classifier (本 bun2) when using a demonstrative (嗰 go2) to link a clause to a noun. This is a common error for English speakers who translate 'that' literally.

  • Putting the demonstrative before the relative clause.

    嗰個我識嘅人。
    我識嘅嗰個人。

    This page teaches the descriptive clause first, then the demonstrative and classifier: 我識嘅嗰個人 (the person I know). 嗰個我識嘅人 is not the pattern taught here.

How It Connects

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Clause + 嗰 + Classifier + NounLevel 3Relative Clause with a Classifier

Learn This First

To understand this pattern, learners must first be comfortable with basic relative clauses in Cantonese. They also need to understand how demonstratives (like '嗰') and classifiers function together to specify particular objects, as this pattern combines a descriptive clause with a specific 'that [classifier]' structure.

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