Question Word + 就 + Question Word

Free Relative (Whatever You Like)

Level 4Sounds Like zau6

The pattern Interrogative + 就 (zau6) + Interrogative links two identical question words to show that the choice in the first clause determines the outcome in the second. It is the natural Cantonese way to say 'wh-ever'.

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of idiomatic, colloquial Cantonese. It is used to express flexibility, compliance, or a logical 'tit-for-tat' relationship.

1. Structure and Rules
The structure follows: [Clause A with Interrogative] + 就 + [Clause B with same Interrogative].

2. Nuance and Usage
This pattern often conveys a sense of 'it's up to you' or 'I don't mind.' For example, 你話點就點啦 (Whatever you say goes) is a very common way to show agreement or compliance. It is much more natural in speech than formal structures like 無論...都... (mou4 leon6... dou1...).

3. Word Order
The interrogative words do not have to be right next to the word 就 (zau6). They are usually embedded naturally within their respective verb phrases. The 'echo' effect happens across the entire sentence.

Examples (5)

  1. 你想食乜嘢就食乜嘢啦。

    Eat whatever you want to eat.

    Word by Word: You want eat what then eat what [particle].

    The use of 乜嘢 (mat1 je5) in both clauses creates the 'whatever' meaning.

  2. 邊個想去就邊個去。

    Whoever wants to go, goes.

    Word by Word: Who want go then who go.

    Here, 邊個 (bin1 go3) is repeated to mean 'whoever'.

  3. 你話點就點啦。

    Whatever you say goes / As you wish.

    Word by Word: You say how then how [particle].

    This is a very common idiomatic expression using 點 (dim2 - how) to show compliance.

  4. 你想幾時走就幾時走。

    Leave whenever you want to leave.

    Word by Word: You want when leave then when leave.

    幾時 (gei2 si4) is used to express 'whenever' in terms of time.

  5. 邊度平就去邊度買。

    Go buy it wherever it is cheap.

    Word by Word: Where cheap then go where buy.

    邊度 (bin1 dou6) links the location of the cheap price to the location of the purchase.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking you must repeat the question word.

    Different Meaning你想食乜嘢就食。
    你想食乜嘢就食乜嘢。

    你想食乜嘢就食 is natural and short. Repeating the question word, as in 你想食乜嘢就食乜嘢, makes the 'whatever you like' pattern more explicit.

  • Mixing different interrogative words.

    邊個想食就買乜嘢。
    邊個想食就邊個買。

    The interrogative words must be identical. You cannot say 'Whoever wants to eat, buy what'; you must say 'Whoever wants to eat, that person buys' or 'Whatever you want to eat, buy that'.

  • Confusing this pattern with the 'everything' pattern using '都'.

    你想食乜嘢都食乜嘢。
    你想食乜嘢就食乜嘢。

    Using 都 (dou1) creates a universal statement ('I eat everything'). To express a specific choice ('whatever you want'), you must use 就 (zau6).

How It Connects

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

Question Word + 就 + Question WordLevel 4Free Relative (Whatever You Like)

Learn This First

To learn the 'Free Relative' pattern (疑問詞 + 就 + 疑問詞), a learner first needs to be comfortable with basic question words and how they function as placeholders. They must also understand the use of '就' as a logical connector ('then') and how question words can represent indefinite concepts like 'whatever' or 'whoever' in Cantonese.

Words in This Pattern