Noun phrase order
In Cantonese, all modifiers sit before the main noun in a specific order: Demonstrative (呢/嗰) + Number + Classifier + Adjective + Noun. For single items, the number '1' (一 jat1) is usually dropped after 'this' or 'that'.
How It Works
Building a Cantonese noun phrase centers around a basic framework, along with key daily variations:
Basic Order: Demonstrative + Numeral + Classifier + Adjective + Noun
Key Features and Rules:
- Demonstratives & Numbers: 呢 (ni1, 'this') or 嗰 (go2, 'that'). While dropping 一 (jat1, 'one') is the everyday default (e.g., 呢本書 ni1 bun2 syu1 'this book'), including 一 (e.g., 呢一本書 ni1 jat1 bun2 syu1) is valid and adds emphasis.
- Number Two: When counting two things, use 兩 (loeng5) rather than 二 (ji6) before a classifier (e.g., 嗰兩隻貓 go2 loeng5 zek3 maau1 'those two cats').
- Plural Classifier 啲: Using 啲 (di1) replaces specific numbers and standard classifiers for plural or non-count items (e.g., 呢啲書 ni1 di1 syu1 'these books').
- Adjectives & 嘅 (ge3): Single-syllable adjectives can sit directly before a noun to form a close compound (e.g., 舊書 gau6 syu1 'old books'). However, single-syllable adjectives can also take 嘅 (ge3), and when modified by adverbs like 好 (hou2), 嘅 is required (e.g., 好舊嘅書 hou2 gau6 ge3 syu1 'very old books').
- Bare Classifiers & Possession: Beyond the full sequence, Cantonese frequently uses bare classifier phrases (CL + Noun, e.g., 本書 bun2 syu1 'the book') to mean 'the', or possessive classifiers (Possessor + CL + Noun, e.g., 佢本書 keoi5 bun2 syu1 'his/her book') without needing 嘅.
Examples (4)
- 呢三本舊書係我喺圖書館借嘅。
These three old books were borrowed by me from the library.
Word by Word: this three [volume] old book be I at library borrow [possessive]
Follows Dem (呢) + Num (三) + Cl (本) + Monosyllabic Adj (舊) + Noun (書).
- 嗰兩隻黑貓好得意呀。
Those two black cats are so cute!
Word by Word: that two [animal] black cat very cute [particle]
Uses 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6) before the animal classifier 隻 (zek3).
- 佢想買呢件新衫。
S/he wants to buy this new piece of clothing.
Word by Word: s/he want buy this [piece] new clothing
The numeral 1 (一 jat1) is omitted after the demonstrative 呢 (ne1).
- 嗰兩本好貴嘅書係佢嘅。
Those two very expensive books belong to him/her.
Word by Word: that two [volume] very expensive [particle] book be s/he [possessive]
Complex adjective phrases like 好貴 (hou2 gwai3) require 嘅 (ge3) before the noun.
Common Mistakes
Using 二 (ji6) instead of 兩 (loeng5) before a classifier.
呢二本書好睇。呢兩本書好睇。Before a classifier, Cantonese requires 兩 (loeng5) rather than 二 (ji6).
Omitting the classifier entirely.
呢三舊書呢三本舊書A classifier (本 bun2) is required between the numeral and the adjective/noun.
Combining a specific number with the plural classifier 啲 (di1).
呢三啲書呢三本書啲 (di1) replaces both the specific number and classifier. Use 呢啲書 ('these books') or 呢三本書 ('these three books').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the full noun phrase order, you must first be familiar with its individual components: demonstratives (this/that), numbers, and the mandatory use of classifiers when describing nouns.
Related Patterns
- 兩 + ClassifierTwo Before a Classifier
Explains the rule requiring 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6) before classifiers.
Level 1 - 啲Plural Classifier
Functions as a plural collective classifier, replacing specific numbers and standard classifiers.
Level 1 - 嘅Possessive Particle
Used to connect multi-word or complex adjectives to the noun within the phrase.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Noun phrase order in Bubblegum
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