橫掂

Anyway Since It Has to Be

Level 4Sounds Like waang4 dim6

Use 橫掂 (waang4 dim6) to say 'Since [X] is already the case anyway, we might as well do [Y].' It justifies a choice by pointing out that the current situation makes that choice logical or 'free' of extra effort.

How It Works

橫掂 (waang4 dim6) is a staple of spoken Cantonese. It is used when you want to provide a reason for a suggestion that relies on a fact that cannot be changed or is already happening.

1. Sentence Structure
橫掂 is a movable conjunction. It can appear either before or after the subject, but not both:

  • 橫掂 + Subject + 都 + [Fact], [Suggestion]
  • Subject + 橫掂 + 都 + [Fact], [Suggestion]

2. Common Pairings
To sound natural, 橫掂 is frequently used with:

  • 都 (dou1): Placed before the verb in the first clause to mean 'already' or 'anyway.'
  • 不如 (bat1 jyu4): Used in the second clause to mean 'might as well.'
  • 順便 (seon6 bin2): Used to mean 'conveniently' or 'while you're at it.'
  • 唔爭在 (m4 zang1 zoi6): Used to mean 'might as well go one step further' or 'since we're already doing X, adding Y doesn't hurt.'

3. Register and Nuance
This is a highly colloquial term. In formal writing, you would use 既然 (gei3 jin4). The term 反正 (faan2 zing3) is also common in speech but feels slightly more standard. The nuance of 橫掂 is one of optimization—since you are already in a certain state, you should take advantage of it.

Examples (4)

  1. 橫掂你都去開街市，不如順便幫我買支奶啦？

    Since you're going to the wet market anyway, why not help me buy a bottle of milk while you're at it?

    Word by Word: Anyway you all go-habitually market, not-as conveniently help me buy branch milk [particle]?

    This example uses 順便 (seon6 bin2) to suggest a convenient 'add-on' task since the person is already going to the market.

  2. 橫掂都等咗咁耐，唔爭在等埋佢啦。

    Since we've waited this long anyway, we might as well wait for him too.

    Word by Word: Anyway all wait [aspect] so long, not-lack-in wait including him [particle].

    This uses 唔爭在 (m4 zang1 zoi6) to suggest going one step further since a significant amount of effort (waiting) has already been spent.

  3. 我橫掂都唔趕時間，等埋你啦。

    I'm not in a rush anyway, so I'll wait for you.

    Word by Word: I anyway all not rush time, wait including you [particle].

    In this case, 橫掂 appears after the subject to justify the speaker's decision to wait.

  4. 橫掂聽日都放假，今晚玩夜啲囉。

    Since tomorrow is a holiday anyway, let's stay up late tonight.

    Word by Word: Anyway tomorrow all release holiday, tonight play late [bit] [particle].

    The fact (holiday tomorrow) justifies the action (staying up late).

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out 都 (dou1).

    Different Meaning橫掂聽日係假期，我哋去玩啦。
    橫掂聽日都係假期，我哋去玩啦。

    橫掂 often goes with 都 (dou1) before the verb, as in 橫掂聽日都係假期, but the version without it is also natural.

  • Using 橫掂 to mean 'nevertheless' or 'anyway' as a subject changer.

    橫掂，我唔鍾意佢。
    總之，我唔鍾意佢。

    In English, 'anyway' can be used to change the subject or summarize (e.g., 'Anyway, I don't like him'). 橫掂 cannot do this. Use 總之 (zung2 zi1) for summarizing or 'anyway' in that context.

How It Connects

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

橫掂Level 4Anyway Since It Has to Be

Learn This First

橫掂 (waang4 dim6) is a logical connector used to accept a fixed reality and then propose a practical course of action. To use it effectively, learners should be comfortable with basic clause linking particles like 都 (also/even) and 就 (then), as well as suggestion patterns like 不如 (how about).

Words in This Pattern

橫掂