一 + Classifier + 都 + 冇

Not a Single One

Level 3

Use 一 (jat1) + Classifier + 都 (dou1) + 冇 (mou5) / 唔 (m4) to say 'not even one' or 'not at all.' It turns a simple 'no' into a strong 'absolutely none.'

How It Works

This structure is the standard way to express 'not a single [noun]' or 'not [verb] at all' in spoken Cantonese.

1. The Structure
The pattern follows a strict order: 一 (jat1) + [Classifier] + (Noun) + 都 (dou1) + [Negator].

  • 一 + Classifier: Represents the smallest unit. If you are talking about an uncountable quality, use the plural/partial classifier 啲 (di1).
  • 都 (dou1): In this context, it functions like 'even.' It is grammatically mandatory here.
  • Negator: Use 冇 (mou5) for existence or possession ('not a single one exists/I don't have one'). Use 唔 (m4) for qualities or states ('not at all').

2. Word Order
In Cantonese, the item being negated is often moved to the front of the sentence (topicalized) to give it focus. For example, instead of saying 'I don't have one friend,' you say 'I, one friend also don't have.'

3. Register
This is extremely common in daily life. While formal writing might use 連...也... (lin4... jaa5...), colloquial Cantonese relies heavily on this 一...都... structure.

Examples (5)

  1. 我一個朋友都冇。

    I don't have a single friend.

    Word by Word: I one [CL] friend even not-have.

    Here, 個 (go3) is the classifier for 朋友 (pang4 jau5). The sentence emphasizes the total lack of friends.

  2. 呢度一粒米都冇。

    There isn't a single grain of rice here.

    Word by Word: This-place one [CL] rice even not-have.

    粒 (nap1) is the classifier for small round things like rice. This emphasizes that the container is completely empty.

  3. 呢份功課一啲都唔難。

    This homework isn't difficult at all.

    Word by Word: This [CL] homework one-bit even not difficult.

    When negating an adjective like 難 (naan4), we use the classifier 啲 (di1) to mean 'a bit' and the negator 唔 (m4).

  4. 佢一個字都唔識。

    He doesn't know a single (Chinese) character.

    Word by Word: He one [CL] character even not-know.

    This uses 識 (sik1) to show a total lack of knowledge or literacy.

  5. 我今日一蚊都冇用過。

    I haven't spent a single dollar today.

    Word by Word: I today one dollar even not-have use [EXP].

    蚊 (man1) is a unit noun for money that doesn't need an extra classifier. 冇...過 indicates the action never happened in the past.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the classifier.

    我一都冇錢。
    我一毫子都冇。

    In Cantonese, the numeral 一 (jat1) cannot stand alone before 都. You must include a classifier or a unit noun like 毫子 (hou4 zi2 - cents) or 蚊 (man1 - dollars).

  • Misplacing the word '都' (dou1).

    一個都人冇。
    一個人都冇。

    The word 都 (dou1) must come after the noun and immediately before the negator (冇 or 唔).

  • Using the wrong negator for existence.

    一個人都唔係。
    一個人都冇。

    If you want to say 'there isn't a single person,' you must use 冇 (mou5). Using 唔係 (m4 hai6) would mean 'not a single person IS [something],' which changes the meaning.

How It Connects

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

一 + Classifier + 都 + 冇Level 3Not a Single One

Learn This First

To understand this pattern, you need to know how to use classifiers with numbers (specifically 'one'), how to use the particle 'dou1' to mean 'even' or 'all', and how to use 'mou5' for negation.

Words in This Pattern