將

Disposal Construction

Level 3Sounds Like zoeng1

Subject + 將 (zoeng1) + [Specific Object] + Verb + [Result/Particle]

How It Works

The 將 (zoeng1) construction (often called the 'disposal' construction) allows a speaker to move the object to a position before the verb. The basic structure is: [Subject] + 將 + [Object] + [Verb] + [Completion / Aspect Marker]. This pattern is similar to the Mandarin 把 (bǎ) construction but is used much less frequently in daily Cantonese conversation. Additionally, while Mandarin can use 把 with intransitive verbs in causative structures, Cantonese 將 strictly requires a transitive verb.

Key Rules:

  • Definiteness: The object is usually specific and known, as in 'take this book'. An object with a number, such as 將一本書, is possible but less typical.
  • Disposal Requirement: The verb is normally a transitive action verb that changes the state or location of the object, or passes it on (as with giving or telling). It cannot be used with verbs of perception or emotion (e.g., 'to see', 'to like').
  • Verb Completion: The verb cannot stand alone. It must be followed by a result, a direction, an aspect marker like 咗 (zo2), a locative phrase (e.g., 喺 hai2 + location), or an indirect object (e.g., with verbs of giving).
  • Negation and Modals: Negation markers (e.g., 唔 (m4), 唔好 (m4 hou2)) and modal verbs (e.g., 要 (jiu3), 可以 (ho2 ji5), 會 (wui5)) must always precede 將 (zoeng1).
  • Dropped Subjects in Commands: Because this pattern is heavily used for commands and imperatives, the subject is very frequently dropped. For example, '將啲垃圾掉咗佢' (zoeng1 di1 laap6 saap3 diu6 zo2 keoi5 - Throw away the rubbish).
  • Register: This is the standard for written documents, recipes, and formal announcements. In semi-formal speech, verbs like 拎 (ling1) or 攞 (lo2) are often used as literal 'take' alternatives. In casual speech, speakers usually use topicalization or the 'Verb + 咗 (zo2) + 佢 (keoi5)' pattern instead.
  • The Resumptive Pronoun: A notable feature is adding the resumptive pronoun 佢 (keoi5) after the verb, even though the object was already mentioned after 將 (zoeng1). This is grammatical when the verb is followed by an aspect marker, a quantifier, or a resultative complement (like 乾淨 gon1 zeng6 or 死 sei2), but cannot be used when the verb is followed by a locative phrase or an indirect object. Furthermore, 佢 (keoi5) acts as a fixed, invariable dummy pronoun—it remains singular even if the fronted object is plural (like 啲垃圾 di1 laap6 saap3). While optional, using it is highly idiomatic. Note that combining the formal 將 with the spoken 佢 creates a hybrid register used heavily for emphatic spoken commands, whereas strictly formal written Cantonese drops the resumptive pronoun entirely (e.g., 將垃圾丟掉).

Examples (5)

  1. 請將你嘅行李放喺呢度。

    Please put your luggage here.

    Word by Word: Please [disposal] your luggage put at here.

    This is a typical formal instruction. The object 'your luggage' is specific, and the verb is followed by a location.

  2. 佢將啲錢用晒。

    He spent all the money.

    Word by Word: He [disposal] [plural] money use all.

    Using 晒 (saai3) after the verb satisfies the requirement that the verb cannot be bare, showing the money was completely 'disposed' of.

  3. 將件衫洗咗佢啦。

    Go wash the shirt.

    Word by Word: [disposal] [classifier] shirt wash [perfective] it [suggestion].

    This uses the common Cantonese 'resumptive pronoun' 佢 (keoi5) at the end, which refers back to the shirt.

  4. 你唔好將件事講畀人聽呀。

    Don't tell anyone about this matter.

    Word by Word: You not good [disposal] [classifier] matter tell for people listen [particle].

    Negation markers like 唔好 (m4 hou2) must be placed before 將 (zoeng1), not before the main verb.

  5. 我將本書畀咗佢。

    I gave the book to him.

    Word by Word: I [disposal] [classifier] book give [perfective] him.

    The object 'the book' is fronted to show the action of giving was completed using 咗 (zo2).

Common Mistakes

  • Placing negation or modal verbs after 將 (zoeng1).

    你將本書唔好畀佢。
    你唔好將本書畀佢。

    Negation (like 唔 m4, 唔好 m4 hou2) and modal verbs (like 要 jiu3, 可以 ho2 ji5) must always come before 將 (zoeng1).

  • Using a bare verb without a complement or particle.

    我將本書放。
    我將本書放喺檯面。

    In the 將 construction, the verb must have a result, direction, or aspect marker. You cannot just say 'put'; you must say where it was put or that the action is finished.

  • Using 將 with a new, indefinite object (e.g., 'a' book).

    Different Meaning我將一本書畀佢。
    我將呢本書畀佢。

    我將一本書畀佢 is a fine sentence. 將 usually fronts a specific, known object, so when the object is new information ('a book') speakers often use plain order instead, as in 我畀咗一本書佢. Use 將 with a known thing: 我將呢本書畀佢。

How It Connects

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將Level 3Disposal Construction

Learn This First

The disposal construction (將) is a more formal or specific way to front a definite object before the verb. To use it correctly, you need to understand standard Cantonese word order, how to specify objects using classifiers, and how to use resultative complements to describe the outcome of the action.

Words in This Pattern

将