實

Bound to

Level 3Sounds Like sat6

Use 實 (sat6) before a verb to show you are absolutely sure something will happen. It is stronger than just saying 'will' and is often paired with the sentence-final particle 嘅 (ge3).

How It Works

1. Sentence Structure
實 (sat6) is a pre-verbal adverb. It must appear after the subject and before the verb or adjective it modifies. It is frequently combined with 會 (wui5) to form 實會 (sat6 wui5), meaning 'definitely will.'

2. The Role of 嘅 (ge3)
In spoken Cantonese, 實 (sat6) is very often paired with the sentence-final particle 嘅 (ge3). This particle reinforces the assertive tone of the statement, making it sound like a statement of fact or a firm belief.

3. Register and Usage
This pattern is highly colloquial and common in everyday Hong Kong Cantonese. In formal writing or news broadcasts, speakers prefer 一定 (jat1 ding6) or 肯定 (hang2 ding6).

4. Predictive vs. Obligatory
Unlike 一定 (jat1 ding6), which can mean both 'definitely' (prediction) and 'must' (obligation), 實 (sat6) is mainly for predictions. To give commands or express necessity, use 一定 instead.

5. Negation: 'Definitely Not'
To say something 'definitely will not' happen, use the order 實唔 (sat6 m4). For example: 佢實唔嚟嘅 (keoi5 sat6 m4 lei4 ge3) 'He definitely isn't coming.' Do not confuse this with 唔一定 (m4 jat1 ding6), which means 'not necessarily'.

Examples (4)

  1. 佢實嚟嘅。

    He is bound to come.

    Word by Word: He certainly come [particle].

    This expresses strong confidence that the person will show up, perhaps based on their character or a promise.

  2. 你噉樣做實俾人鬧。

    If you do it like that, you're definitely going to get scolded.

    Word by Word: You this way do certainly [passive] people scold.

    Here, 實 (sat6) predicts a logical consequence of an action. Note the use of 畀人 (bei2 jan4) for the passive voice.

  3. 聽日實落雨嘅。

    It's definitely going to rain tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow certainly fall rain [particle].

    A strong assertion about the weather, likely based on seeing dark clouds or a reliable forecast.

  4. 佢哋實會贏嘅。

    They will definitely win.

    Word by Word: They certainly will win [particle].

    Combining 實 (sat6) with 會 (wui5) makes the future prediction even more explicit.

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to negate 實 (sat6) directly with 唔 (m4) to mean 'not necessarily'.

    佢唔實嚟嘅。
    佢<b>唔一定</b>嚟嘅。

    You cannot say '唔實' (m4 sat6) to mean 'not necessarily.' To express that something isn't certain, you must use 唔一定 (m4 jat1 ding6). Note that 實唔 (sat6 m4) is valid, but it means 'definitely not'.

  • Using 實 (sat6) to express a command or obligation.

    Different Meaning你實要去！
    你<grammar expression="一定">一定</grammar>要去！

    實 (sat6) says you are sure something will happen, and 你實要去 can be heard as ‘you will surely have to go’. To give an order or say ‘you must go’, use 一定 (jat1 ding6) or 要 (jiu3).

  • Confusing the adverb 實 (sat6) with the resultative complement 實 (sat6).

    實揸佢。
    揸實佢。

    When 實 (sat6) comes after a verb, it acts as a resultative complement meaning 'tightly' or 'firmly' (e.g., 揸實 zaa1 sat6). When it comes before the verb, it means 'certainly'.

How It Connects

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實Level 3Bound to

Learn This First

To understand 實, you need to be familiar with how Cantonese expresses future predictions and certainty. It acts as a more colloquial and emphatic alternative to 會 (will) or 一定 (definitely), and it typically requires the assertive sentence-final particle 嘅 to complete the thought.

Words in This Pattern

实