呢個/嗰個
This One / That One
呢個 (ni1 go3) means 'this one' for items close to you, while 嗰個 (go2 go3) means 'that one' for items further away. Because 呢 and 嗰 are bound stems, they always need a classifier like 個 (go3) attached.
How It Works
Understanding 呢個 and 嗰個
In Cantonese, the root demonstratives 呢 (ni1, 'this') and 嗰 (go2, 'that') are bound morphemes. This means they cannot function as standalone words by themselves. To refer to an item, person, or situation as 'this one' or 'that one', you must attach a classifier immediately after the root.
1. Structure and Meaning
• 呢個 (ni1 go3): 'this one' — refers to a single object, person, concept, or situation close to the speaker.
• 嗰個 (go2 go3): 'that one' — refers to something distant from the speaker.
2. Pronunciation Variations
While standard Jyutping transcribes 呢 as ni1, in modern spoken Hong Kong Cantonese it is very commonly pronounced as nei1 or li1 due to regional sound shifts. All three pronunciations are natural and valid. 嗰 is consistently pronounced go2 (high-rising tone) and 個 is go3 (mid-level tone).
3. Usage with Specific Nouns
個 (go3) is the general/default classifier. When pointing at objects without naming them, 呢個 and 嗰個 are used freely. However, when placing a demonstrative directly before a specific noun, you should use that noun's specific classifier if it has one (for example, using 架 (gaa3) for vehicles: 呢架車 'this car').
4. Abstract Concepts
呢個 and 嗰個 are not limited to physical objects or people. They are routinely used to refer to abstract concepts, ideas, or situations (e.g., 呢個問題 'this problem').
Examples (4)
- 我想要呢個，唔該。
I would like this one, please.
Word by Word: I want want this item, please.
Use 呢個 (ni1 go3) when pointing to a specific item near you when shopping or ordering.
- 嗰個人係邊個？
Who is that person?
Word by Word: That item person is who?
嗰個 (go2 go3) precedes the noun 人 (jan4, person) to specify 'that person'.
- 呢個好食，嗰個唔好食。
This one is tasty; that one is not tasty.
Word by Word: This item good eat, that item not good eat.
呢個 and 嗰個 can be directly contrasted in a single sentence.
- 呢個問題好難。
This problem is very difficult.
Word by Word: This item problem very difficult.
呢個 can also refer to abstract concepts like 問題 (man6 tai4, problem/question).
Common Mistakes
Omitting the classifier after 呢 or 嗰
我要呢。我要呢個。呢 and 嗰 are bound stems and cannot stand alone as independent words. You must attach a classifier like 個.
Using 呢個 when you mean 'these'.
Different Meaning呢個係我嘅書。呢啲係我嘅書。呢個係我嘅書 is fine for one book: 'This is my book.' 呢個 is singular ('this one'). For several books, use the plural 呢啲 (ni1 di1): 呢啲係我嘅書.
Using 個 directly before a noun with a specific classifier
呢個車好貴。呢架車好貴。While 個 is the general classifier, nouns with specific classifiers (like 車 taking 架) should use their proper classifier when paired with 呢 or 嗰.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '呢個' (this one) and '嗰個' (that one), you first need to know the basic demonstratives '呢' and '嗰'. Since these cannot stand alone in Cantonese, you must also understand how the general classifier '個' acts as a dummy noun to form a complete pronoun.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 呢個/嗰個 in Bubblegum
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