Cantonese Level UpCantonese Level UpLesson 31 · Connectors & Common Words
One of Cantonese's most versatile words: conditional 'then', immediate sequence, emphasis, and more.
For Mandarin Speakers
Mandarin 就 jiù maps closely to Cantonese 就 zau6 in most uses, so the meanings will feel familiar. However, Cantonese uses 就 even more frequently and in some collocations that don't exist in Mandarin (就嚟, 就快).
就 zau6 is one of the highest-frequency function words in Cantonese. It serves multiple grammatical roles, all related to the core idea of 'immediacy' or 'connection' between events.
Conditional 'then' — In 如果...就 (if...then) structures, 就 marks the consequence clause: 如果你去，我就去 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 heoi3, ngo5 zau6 heoi3 (If you go, then I'll go). This is identical to Mandarin usage.
Immediate sequence — 就 connects two actions that happen right after each other: 食完就走 sik6 jyun4 zau6 zau2 (eat then leave right away). The nuance is that the second action follows without delay. Compare with 先...再 sin1...zoi3 which implies a planned pause.
'Precisely / exactly' — 就係 zau6 hai6 means 'that's exactly it / precisely': 就係呢個 zau6 hai6 ni1 go3 (it's exactly this one). 就係噉 zau6 hai6 gam2 (that's just how it is).
Emphasis / 'only' — 就 can add emphasis meaning 'just' or 'only': 我就想問吓 ngo5 zau6 soeng2 man6 haa5 (I just want to ask). 就得一個 zau6 dak1 jat1 go3 (there's just/only one).
就嚟 zau6 lai4 / 就快 zau6 faai3 — These are Cantonese-specific collocations meaning 'about to / soon': 就嚟到 zau6 lai4 dou3 (about to arrive), 就快放假 zau6 faai3 fong3 gaa3 (holiday is coming soon). Mandarin uses 快要 kuàiyào or 就要 jiùyào instead.
Mandarin: 如果下雨，我就不去
Conditional 'then' — same structure as Mandarin
Immediate sequence — the second action follows without delay
就係 = precisely / that's exactly it
Mandarin: 他快要到了
就嚟 = about to — Cantonese-specific; Mandarin uses 快要
就快 = soon / about to — another Cantonese-specific collocation
Fill in the Blank
Complete the conditional: 如果你唔嚟，我___唔等你 (If you don't come, then I won't wait for you)
Translate
How do you say 'about to arrive' using the Cantonese-specific 就嚟?
Multiple Choice
What does 就係噉 zau6 hai6 gam2 mean?
Fill in the Blank
Express 'soon' before 放假: ___放假喇！(The holiday is coming soon!)
Translate
Translate: 做完功課就去玩 (Go play right after finishing homework)