譬如
Say/imagine
Use 譬如 (pei3 jyu4) to give examples or to set up a 'what if' scenario in conversation.
How It Works
1. Giving Examples
In its most basic form, 譬如 (pei3 jyu4) introduces one or more specific instances to illustrate a general category. It is often paired with 話 (waa6) or 講 (gong2) to form 譬如話 (pei3 jyu4 waa6) or 譬如講 (pei3 jyu4 gong2), meaning 'say, for example...'. Speakers frequently pause and attach the filler particle 呢 (ne1), resulting in 譬如話呢 (pei3 jyu4 waa6 ne1), 譬如講呢 (pei3 jyu4 gong2 ne1), or simply 譬如呢 (pei3 jyu4 ne1), to buy time while thinking of an example. When listing items, speakers often end the list with 噉 (gam2), 之類 (zi1 leoi6), or 等等 (dang2 dang2) to round off the examples.
2. Hypothetical Scenarios
A unique and highly frequent use of 譬如 is to introduce a hypothetical situation. In this context, it translates to English phrases like 'Say...', 'Suppose...', or 'Imagine...'. 譬如話 (pei3 jyu4 waa6) and 譬如講 (pei3 jyu4 gong2) are also frequently used here to mean 'Let's say, hypothetically...'. While 如果 (jyu4 gwo2) is a general 'if', 譬如 implies you are picking one specific scenario out of many possibilities to explore. Note that 例如 (lai6 jyu4) can also be used to bring up a hypothesis (e.g., '例如聽日落雨' meaning 'Suppose it rains tomorrow'). Speakers frequently use 噉 (gam2) or 噉樣 (gam2 joeng2) to close out a hypothetical scenario introduced by 譬如 (e.g., '譬如話聽日落雨噉...').
3. Sentence Position
As a conjunction or adverb, it frequently appears at the beginning of a sentence or a clause. However, it can also be placed immediately after the subject (e.g., Subject + 譬如 + [話/講] + Example/Scenario, like 我譬如話... ngo5 pei3 jyu4 waa6...). It does not typically undergo tone change and maintains its standard 3rd and 4th tones (pei3 jyu4).
4. Register
譬如 is extremely common in daily spoken Cantonese. Using it instead of the Mandarin-influenced 比如 (bei2 jyu4) will make your Cantonese sound much more authentic. Note that 例如 (lai6 jyu4) is also highly frequent, authentic, and practically interchangeable with 譬如 in daily colloquial speech for both giving examples and introducing hypothetical scenarios.
Examples (5)
- 我好鍾意食生果，譬如話蘋果同橙。
I really like eating fruit, for example, apples and oranges.
Word by Word: I very like eat fruit, for example say apple and orange.
Here, 譬如話 (pei3 jyu4 waa6) is used to introduce specific examples of the general category 'fruit'.
- 譬如你聽日唔使返工，你會去邊度玩呀？
Say you don't have to work tomorrow, where would you go to have fun?
Word by Word: Imagine you tomorrow no need return work, you will go where play [particle]?
In this sentence, 譬如 (pei3 jyu4) sets up a hypothetical scenario for the listener to imagine.
- 譬如講，你淨返一百蚊，你會買咩呀？
Say, for example, you only have a hundred dollars left, what would you buy?
Word by Word: For example say, you left back one hundred dollars, you will buy what [particle]?
Here, 譬如講 (pei3 jyu4 gong2) is used to set up a hypothetical scenario, functioning exactly the same as 譬如話 (pei3 jyu4 waa6).
- 譬如你冇晒錢會點呢？
Suppose you ran out of money, what then?
Word by Word: Suppose you not-have all money will how [particle]?
Using 譬如 (pei3 jyu4) here makes the hypothetical question feel more concrete and conversational than using a formal 'if'.
- 好多地方我都想去，譬如日本同韓國。
There are many places I want to go, such as Japan and Korea.
Word by Word: Many places I all want go, for example Japan and Korea.
A standard use of 譬如 (pei3 jyu4) to provide a list of examples.
Common Mistakes
Thinking only 譬如 is Cantonese.
Different Meaning比如 (bei2 jyu4) 你聽日去邊？譬如 (pei3 jyu4) 你聽日去邊？比如 (bei2 jyu4) is also normal Cantonese for giving an example, and so is 譬如 (pei3 jyu4). 譬如 sounds a little more bookish. Both mean "for example".
Mispronouncing the first syllable as 'bei3'.
bei3 jyu4pei3 jyu4The first character 譬 must be aspirated (p-sound). Confusing it with the unaspirated 'b' sound is a common learner error.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '譬如' (say/imagine), you should already be comfortable with basic hypothetical structures in Cantonese. It is used to float a 'what if' scenario or to provide an example, so knowing how to link clauses with 'if' and how to use comparison markers will help you place '譬如' correctly at the start of a sentence or clause.
- 如果...就...If...then...
Understanding the basic 'if... then...' structure is essential because '譬如' functions as a hypothetical marker that often follows the same logical flow.
Level 2 - 好似...咁Like / as if
The pattern '譬如' is often used to introduce examples or comparisons, similar to the 'like/as if' structure of '好似...咁'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- 如果...嘅話If (Marked at Both Ends)
Both are used for conditionals, but 譬如 is specifically for 'floating' a scenario as an example, while 如果...嘅話 is a general 'if'.
Level 2 - If without an if-word
譬如 can be used to set up a hypothetical scenario, which functions similarly to an implicit conditional without a strict 'if' word.
Level 3 - 話That (Introducing a Clause)
Often paired with 譬如 to form 譬如話 (pei3 jyu4 waa6), literally 'say, for example', utilizing 話.
Level 3 - 咁就...In That Case Then
Often used in the second clause after a 譬如 scenario to mean 'in that case...'. Note that while the pattern is 咁就..., it is often written orthographically as 噉就 (gam2 zau6).
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice 譬如 in Bubblegum
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