則

Whereas (Classical)

Level 5Sounds Like zak1

則 (zak1) is a high-register adverbial conjunction used to contrast two things. It is common in news, legal documents, and formal announcements.

How It Works

1. Formal Contrast
則 (zak1) is primarily used to contrast two subjects. While colloquial Cantonese might use 但係 (daan6 hai6) or 就 (zau6), 則 (zak1) provides a more objective, formal tone. It is often paired with 而 (ji4) to create the structure 'Subject A... whereas Subject B...'.

2. Word Order Constraints
A critical rule for 則 (zak1) is its position: it usually follows the subject. It does not normally open a sentence the way the English word 'whereas' does.
Pattern: [Subject 1]... [Subject 2] + 則 + [Predicate].

3. Formal Classifier for Information
Beyond its role as a conjunction, 則 (zak1) serves as a formal classifier for news items, stories, or specific clauses in a document. For example, '一則新聞' (jat1 zak1 san1 man4) means 'a piece of news'. This usage is common in media and official reports.

4. Distinction from 'Layout' (zik1)
Learners should be careful not to confuse the grammatical particle with the colloquial noun 則 (pronounced zik1 in this case). In Hong Kong, this refers to the 'layout' or 'floor plan' of an apartment (e.g., '靚則' leng3 zik1 - a nice layout).

5. Conditional 'Then'
In classical or fixed expressions (Chengyu), 則 (zak1) can mean 'then' or 'consequently', similar to the colloquial 就 (zau6). An example is the proverb 欲速則不達 (juk6 cuk1 zak1 bat1 daat6) — 'Haste results in no progress'.

6. Register
This is a Level 5 pattern because it belongs to 'High Cantonese'. You will see it on MTR signs, in contracts, or hear it in a formal speech, but using it while chatting with friends would sound overly stiff or academic.

Examples (5)

  1. 甲方負責維修，乙方則負責保險。

    Party A is responsible for maintenance, whereas Party B is responsible for insurance.

    Word by Word: Party A responsible maintenance, Party B whereas responsible insurance.

    This is a classic legal/contractual use of 則 (zak1) to divide responsibilities between two parties.

  2. 成人車費十蚊，小童則半價。

    Adult fare is ten dollars; children, on the other hand, are half price.

    Word by Word: Adult fare ten dollars, child whereas half price.

    Commonly found in public notices. Note how 則 (zak1) follows the subject '小童' (siu2 tung4).

  3. 頭先睇咗一則新聞，講緊加稅嘅事。

    I just saw a piece of news talking about the tax increase.

    Word by Word: Just now see-perfective one CL news, talk-progressive add tax possessive matter.

    In this context, 則 (zak1) acts as a formal classifier for items of information or news stories.

  4. 呢個單位個則幾好，好實用。

    The layout of this apartment is quite good; it's very practical.

    Word by Word: This CL unit CL layout quite good, very practical.

    Note that in real estate contexts, the character 則 is pronounced 'zik1' and refers to a floor plan or layout, which is distinct from the grammatical particle 'zak1'.

  5. 佢鍾意睇書，我則鍾意運動。

    He likes reading, whereas I like sports.

    Word by Word: He like read book, I whereas like sports.

    Even in slightly more personal contexts, using 則 (zak1) makes the comparison sound very deliberate and formal.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 則 (zak1) before the subject.

    成人十蚊，則小童五蚊。
    成人十蚊，小童則五蚊。

    In Cantonese, 則 (zak1) is an adverbial conjunction and must come after the subject it is describing, not before it.

  • Using 則 (zak1) in casual daily conversation.

    Different Meaning我想食飯，佢則想食麵。
    我想食飯，佢就想食麵。

    While grammatically correct, using 則 (zak1) with friends sounds like you are reading a legal document. Use 就 (zau6) or 而 (ji4) for a natural flow.

How It Connects

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

則Level 5Whereas (Classical)

Learn This First

The pattern 則 (zak1) is a formal or literary particle used to contrast two subjects or situations, often translated as 'whereas' or 'on the other hand'. To use it correctly, learners should be familiar with the formal written register of Cantonese, basic contrastive logic (like 'but'), and how to coordinate two clauses in a single sentence.

Words in This Pattern

则则