你痛唔痛呀？
nei5 tung3 m4 tung3 aa3?
The English phrase "are you in pain?" is translated into Cantonese as 你痛唔痛呀？ (nei5 tung3 m4 tung3 aa3?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone is currently experiencing physical suffering or discomfort.
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the question is 痛唔痛, which literally means "pain or not pain". The particle 呀 at the end is a final particle used to soften the tone of the question, making it sound more natural and less blunt.
Which one should you use?
While 你痛唔痛呀？ is a general question about whether you are in pain, if you want to ask specifically "Does it hurt?", you can simply say 痛唔痛呀？
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the "A-not-A" question pattern, where the adjective is repeated with 唔 (not) in the middle to form a question.
How do you pronounce it?
nei5 tung3 m4 tung3 aa3?
Did you know?
- The word 痛 (tung3) is also used in the term 痛快 (tung3 faai3), which describes feeling 'thrilled' or 'satisfied'.
- To describe a dull, lingering ache rather than a sharp pain, speakers use the word 酸 'sour', which is otherwise used for taste.
- In Cantonese, you can describe a sharp, stabbing pain by adding the word 刺 'thorn' to the sensation, effectively saying the pain is like a needle.
Examples in context
- 你痛唔痛？Are you in pain?
- 個傷口你痛唔痛呀？go3 soeng1 hau2 nei5 tung3 m4 tung3 aa3?Does the wound hurt?
Example conversation
The two are at a clinic after an injury.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，你痛唔痛呀？zi2 gin6, nei5 tung3 m4 tung3 aa3?Zi Jian, are you in pain?
- 子健 Tsz Kin仲係有啲痛。zung6 hai6 jau5 di1 tung3.It still hurts a bit.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung要唔要醫生睇下？jiu3 m4 jiu3 ji1 sang1 tai2 haa5?Do you want a doctor to check it?
- 子健 Tsz Kin好似冇問題，唔使喇。hou2 ci5 mou5 man6 tai4, m4 sai2 laa3.It seems fine, no need.
