V住（否定）

Not Just Yet

Level 3Sounds Like zyu6

In negative Cantonese sentences, adding 住 (zyu6) at the end of a clause means 'not yet' or 'for the time being.' It suggests a temporary delay rather than a permanent 'no.'

How It Works

The particle 住 (zyu6) acts as a tentative aspect marker when paired with negative adverbs. It tells the listener that the current state should continue for a little longer before the action happens.

1. Sentence Structure
Unlike the continuous aspect marker which follows the verb directly, this 'not yet' 住 usually goes at the very end of the clause, after any objects.
Pattern: [Negative] + [Verb] + (Object) + 住

2. Common Triggers

  • 唔好 (m4 hou2) / 咪 (mai1): 'Don't ... yet' (e.g., 咪走住 - Don't leave yet).
  • 唔 (m4): 'Not ... for now' (e.g., 我唔食住 - I'm not eating for now).
  • 未 (mei6): 'Not yet' (e.g., 仲未去得住 - Can't go just yet).
  • 唔使 (m4 sai2): 'No need to ... yet' (e.g., 唔使買住 - No need to buy it yet).

3. Nuance vs. Mandarin
Mandarin speakers often use 先 (xiān) or 還 (hái) for this meaning. In Cantonese, 住 is the natural way to express this 'temporary hold' in spoken conversation. It is highly colloquial and rarely used in formal writing.

Examples (5)

  1. 唔好話畀佢聽住。

    Don't tell him yet.

    Word by Word: Not good tell to him hear yet.

    Using 唔好 (m4 hou2) with 住 (zyu6) suggests that you should wait for a better time to tell him.

  2. 我仲未想返屋企住。

    I don't want to go home just yet.

    Word by Word: I still not-yet want return house home yet.

    Here, 住 (zyu6) emphasizes that the speaker wants to stay out a bit longer for the time being.

  3. 咪住！我仲有嘢要講。

    Wait a minute! I still have something to say.

    Word by Word: Don't yet! I still have thing need speak.

    咪住 (mai1 zyu6) is a common fixed expression meaning 'Hold on' or 'Wait a second.'

  4. 唔使買住，屋企仲有。

    No need to buy it yet, there's still some at home.

    Word by Word: Not need buy yet, house home still have.

    唔使 (m4 sai2) indicates a lack of necessity for the action at this specific moment.

  5. 唔好食飯住，等埋爸爸先。

    Don't eat yet, wait for Dad first.

    Word by Word: Not good eat rice yet, wait-together Dad first.

    Notice how 住 (zyu6) comes after the object 飯 (faan6 - rice/meal).

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 住 (zyu6) immediately after the verb when an object is present.

    唔好食住飯。
    唔好食飯住。

    When 住 (zyu6) means 'not yet,' it functions as a sentence-final particle and should follow the object. Placing it directly after the verb makes it sound like the continuous aspect marker ('Don't be eating rice').

How It Connects

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V住（否定）Level 3Not Just Yet

Learn This First

To understand 'V住' in its negative sense (meaning 'not yet'), learners first need to be familiar with the durative aspect marker '住'. They also need a solid grasp of Cantonese negation, particularly '唔好' for prohibitions and the general rules for choosing negators, as this pattern specifically modifies a negative command or statement to indicate a delay in action.

Words in This Pattern