明知...照...

Even Though One Knows Better

Level 4Sounds Like ming4 zi1 . . . ziu3 . . .

Subject + 明知 (ming4 zi1) + [Fact] + (都) + 照 (ziu3) + [Verb]

How It Works

The structure 明知...照... (ming4 zi1... ziu3...) is a concessive construction in Cantonese. It is more specific than a general "although" because it focuses on the subject's internal awareness.

  • 明知 (ming4 zi1): Literally "clearly know." It introduces the clause containing the fact, warning, or risk that the subject is aware of.
  • 都 (dou1): Often added at the start of the second clause to mean "even." It typically sits immediately before 照 (ziu3) to form the string 都照 (dou1 ziu3).
  • 照 (ziu3): An adverb meaning "anyway," "as usual," or "nevertheless." In this pattern, it appears immediately before the verbal phrase (the verb or its negative marker, e.g., 照唔聽 ziu3 m4 teng1).

When using this pattern, the subject of the second clause usually appears before the 都照 string (e.g., 佢都照去 keoi5 dou1 ziu3 heoi3). This pattern carries a nuance of irrationality or "doing it anyway" despite better judgment. It is frequently used to comment on someone's (or one's own) questionable decisions, like eating junk food while on a diet or going out in a storm.

Examples (4)

  1. 佢明知會輸都照去比賽。

    He clearly knows he will lose, but he's going to the competition anyway.

    Word by Word: He clearly-know will lose also anyway go competition.

    Here, the subject knows the outcome (losing) but proceeds with the action (going to the competition) regardless.

  2. 我明知聽日要早起都照睇戲。

    I know I have to wake up early tomorrow, but I'm watching a movie anyway.

    Word by Word: I clearly-know tomorrow need early-wake also anyway watch movie.

    This shows a common daily scenario where one ignores a known responsibility (waking up early) to do something else.

  3. 明知冇用都照講，你真係執着。

    Knowing it's useless but saying it anyway—you really are persistent.

    Word by Word: Clearly-know no use also anyway speak, you really are persistent.

    The subject is omitted here as it refers to the listener. It highlights the stubbornness of the action.

  4. 佢明知好貴都照買。

    He knew it was very expensive but bought it anyway.

    Word by Word: He clearly-know very expensive also anyway buy.

    The 'fact' here is the high price, which would normally discourage a buyer, but the subject ignores it.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 照 (ziu3) must be added.

    Different Meaning佢明知好貴都買。
    佢明知好貴都照買。

    明知好貴都買 is already correct and means he knows it is expensive and buys it anyway. Adding 照 (ziu3) stresses 'all the same', which is the form this pattern teaches.

  • Confusing 明知 (ming4 zi1) with 明明 (ming4 ming4).

    明明好貴都照買。
    明知好貴都照買。

    明明 (ming4 ming4) means 'obviously' and focuses on the speaker's surprise at a contradiction. 明知 (ming4 zi1) focuses on the subject's internal knowledge and intent to act against that knowledge.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

明知...照...Level 4Even Though One Knows Better

Learn This First

The pattern '明知...照...' (Even though one knows better) is a compound structure. To understand it, learners need to know the verb '知' (to know) and the adverbial use of '照' (to proceed as before/according to). Understanding '都' is also helpful as it frequently links the two clauses to provide emphasis.

Words in This Pattern

明知照