我哋 + V + 啦

Let's …

Level 2Sounds Like ngo5 dei6

In Cantonese, to propose doing something together ('Let's...'), place 我哋 (ngo5 dei6, 'we') before the verb and finish the sentence with the particle 啦 (laa1).

How It Works

To invite someone to perform an action together in Cantonese, use the sentence frame: 我哋 (ngo5 dei6) + Verb + 啦 (laa1).

1. Function and Interactive Force
While 我哋 specifically means 'we' or 'us' (whereas 你哋 means 'you (plural)' and 佢哋 means 'they/them'), pairing it with 啦 (laa1) shifts a sentence from a plain statement into an inviting proposal. Without 啦 (laa1), saying 我哋走 (ngo5 dei6 zau2) sounds like a flat declarative ('We leave'). Adding 啦 (laa1) turns it into 'Let's leave!'

2. Tone Distinction (laa1 vs laa3)
Tone is essential: 啦 must be pronounced in Tone 1 (laa1). If pronounced in Tone 3 (laa3), the sentence changes to signal a Change of State ('We are leaving now'). Expressing 'already left' requires the perfective aspect marker 咗 (zo2).

3. Adding Adverbs and Verbs Complements
You can expand the sentence with adverbs like 一齊 (jat1 cai4, 'together') or delimitative markers like 下 (haa5, 'a bit'):
• 我哋一齊食飯啦！ (ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6 laa1! - 'Let's eat together!')
• 我哋傾下啦。 (ngo5 dei6 king1 haa5 laa1. - 'Let's chat for a bit.')

Examples (4)

  1. 我哋走啦！

    Let's go!

    Word by Word: we leave [suggestion-particle]

    The most common everyday phrase to suggest leaving a place together.

  2. 我哋落單啦。

    Let's place our order.

    Word by Word: we place-order [suggestion-particle]

    Used in restaurants when everyone is ready to order food.

  3. 我哋一齊食飯啦！

    Let's have a meal together!

    Word by Word: we together eat meal [suggestion-particle]

    Adding 一齊 (jat1 cai4, 'together') emphasizes doing the action as a group.

  4. 我哋休息吓啦。

    Let's take a short break!

    Word by Word: we rest a bit [suggestion-particle]

    Combines with 吓 (haa5) to suggest taking a short break.

Common Mistakes

  • 我哋走喇 is a good sentence, but it states a change ('We are leaving now') and does not make the 'Let us go' suggestion.

    Different Meaning我哋走喇 (ngo5 dei6 zau2 laa3)
    我哋走啦 (ngo5 dei6 zau2 laa1)

    我哋走喇 is natural but means 'We are leaving now' or 'We have left' (a change of state). 啦 (laa1) makes it the proposal 'Let us go'.

  • Omitting the final particle 啦 (laa1)

    我哋走 (ngo5 dei6 zau2)
    我哋走啦 (ngo5 dei6 zau2 laa1)

    Without 啦 (laa1), the sentence sounds like an abrupt statement of fact ('We leave') rather than a friendly proposal.

How It Connects

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

我哋 + V + 啦Level 2Let's …

Learn This First

To understand 'Let's...' (我哋 + V + 啦), you first need to know how to form the plural pronoun 'we' (我哋) and how the particle '啦' functions to suggest an action.

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