一啲啲
jat1 di1 di1
The Cantonese phrase for "a little" is 一啲啲 (jat1 di1 di1).
一啲啲 is used as an adverb meaning "a little bit" or "slightly." It often appears at the end of a sentence to modify a verb or an adjective.
Meaning: to a small extent or degree (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 一 (one), 啲 (a bit/some) and a reduplicated 啲 to emphasize the smallness of the amount.
Which one should you use?
While the form 一啲 means "some" or "a little," the reduplicated 一啲啲 carries a stronger nuance of "very little" or "hardly any."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Guangzhou region, locals may use 一啲 instead of 一點.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 一啲啲 is used for emphasis, the shorter form 一啲 is more commonly used as a standard quantifier for uncountable nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
jat1 di1 di1
Did you know?
- While 一啲啲 describes quantity, the character 啲 is used in a completely different way to create comparative adjectives, similar to adding 'er' to an English word like 'small' to make 'smaller'.
- Despite meaning 'a little', 一啲啲 is frequently used in sarcasm to actually mean 'quite a lot' when the speaker is pretending to be modest or humble.
- In certain contexts, using 一啲啲 to describe a mistake can be a polite way of 'saving face' for someone by minimizing the error to an insignificance.
Examples in context
- 我只剩下少少錢。(ngo^5 zi^2 sing^6 haa^5 siu^2 siu^2 cin^2.)I only have a little money left.
- 我今日覺得有一啲啲攰。ngo5 gam1 jat6 gok3 dak1 jau5 jat1 di1 di1 gui6.I feel a little tired today.
- 呢件衫有一啲啲大。ni1 gin6 saam1 jau5 jat1 di1 di1 daai6.This piece of clothing is a little large.
- 個價錢可以減一啲啲嗎？go3 gaa3 cin2 ho2 ji5 gaam5 jat1 di1 di1 maa1?Can the price be reduced a little?
Example conversation
At a clothing store, a woman is trying on a dress.
- 志強 Chi Keung呢件衫啱唔啱身？ni1 gin6 saam1 ngaam1 m4 ngaam1 san1?Does this dress fit you well?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我覺得有一啲啲短。ngo5 gok3 dak1 jau5 jat1 di1 di1 dyun2.I feel it is a little short.
- 志強 Chi Keung要唔要試多一件？jiu3 m4 jiu3 si3 do1 jat1 gin6?Do you want to try another one?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，唔該。hou2 aa3, m4 goi1.Okay, thank you.
