Grammar 13 - Cantonese Verb Delimitative Marker - 吓(haa5)

The delimitative marker 吓 (haa5) in Cantonese indicates that an action is performed briefly and casually, making the tone more polite and less directive when making a request or command. In this lesson, we'll explore its function and provide everyday usage examples. Understanding this marker helps you communicate more naturally and politely in Cantonese.
grammar13 Cantonese Verb delimitative Marker 吓haa5

Table of Content

#   Casual or Tentative Action
#   Softened Request or Command
#   List of non-sequential Actions

The delimitative marker 吓() in Cantonese indicates that an action is performed briefly and casually, suggesting it is not extensive or intensive. It implies the action is done lightly or tentatively. Its function is similar to expressions like “a bit,” “take a look,” “give it a try,” or “(do sth) for a while” in English.

When making suggestions or requests, delimitative marker make the tone more polite and less directive or commanding by implying the action is light and casual.

The Mandarin equivalent is 一下 (看一下、聽一下) or the double verb structure (猜猜看、幫幫忙). The double verb structure also exists in Cantonese, which we will discuss in future lessons.

For the placement of aspect markers, you can refer to Grammar09 - Verbs (continuous marker 緊).

Casual or Tentative Action

  1. 我()想()唞()吓()、行()開()吓()
    I want to take a break and get away a bit.
    (lit. I want to rest a bit, walk away a bit. Sometimes 行開吓 means get out of the city for a while.)

  2. 我()去()睇()吓()啲()湯()煲()好()未()
    I'll go check if the soup is ready or not.
    (lit. I go see a bit if the soup is ready or not)

  3. 我()諗()吓()先()，再()覆()你()啦()
    Let me think about it, and I'll get back to you.
    (lit. I think a bit first, I will reply to you again.)

  4. 你()估()吓()我()係()邊()個()
    Guess who I am
    (lit. You Guess a bit who I am)

Softened Request or Command

  1. 你()可()唔()可()以()幫()吓()手()呀()？
    Can you help out a bit?

    (幫手 - Verb with complementing noun ｜ 幫 - to help ｜ 手 - hand)

  2. 大()家()講()吓()各()自()嘅()意()見()啦()
    Everyone, go ahead and share your own opinions.
    (lit. Everyone, talk a bit of your own opinions)

  3. 你()試()吓()呢()件()衫()呀()
    Try on this shirt.
    (lit. You try a bit this shirt)

List of non-sequential Actions

When several actions are marked with the delimitative marker 吓 in Cantonese, it indicates flexibility and variety in activities or conditions. It lists actions or states in a flexible and non-exhaustive way, meaning they are not necessarily in a specific order. This form also suggests a continual and unhurried action.

  1. 你()喺()公()園()做()咗()咩()呀()？
    What did you do at the park?

    散()吓()步()、睇()吓()雀()、吹()吓()水()囉()
    Had a stroll, watched the birds, and chitchatted a bit.
    (lit. Strolled a bit, watched a bit the birds, chitchatted a bit)

    (散步 - Separable Double Character Verb ｜ 散 - to scatter ｜ 步 - step)
    (吹水 - Separable Double Character Verb ｜ 吹 - to blow ｜ 水 - water)

  2. 你()喺()日()本()做()咗()咩()呀()？
    What did you do in Japan?

    食()吓()嘢()、行()吓()街()、買()吓()嘢()囉()
    I tried some food, walked around / window shopping, and did some shopping.
    (lit. Ate a bit something, walked a bit on the street and buy a bit something.)

    (行街 - Separable Double Character Verb ｜ 行 - to walk ｜ 街 - street)

  3. 碌()吓()IG、睇()吓()Facebook就()冇()咗()一()日()
    Scrolling through Instagram and checking Facebook, and the day was gone.
    (lit. Scrolled a bit Instagram, watched a bit Facebook, and the day was gone.)