睇
tai2
The Cantonese word for 'read' is 睇 (tai2).
In everyday Cantonese, 睇 is a versatile verb that can mean 'to look at', 'to watch' or 'to read'.
Meaning: to look at and interpret letters or other information (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 睇 is used for the general act of reading or looking at something, the word 讀 is used specifically when you mean 'to read aloud' or 'to study' a subject.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the act of reading has been completed, you can add the aspect marker 咗 after the verb to form 睇咗.
How do you pronounce it?
tai2
Did you know?
- Because 睇 also means 'to look', the phrase 睇相 can mean either 'to look at a photo' or 'to have your fortune told' by a fortune teller.
- While 睇 is used for reading a book, a doctor 'reading' or examining a patient is also described using 睇病.
- The character 睇 can also mean 'to see' in the sense of 'to judge' or 'to assess' someone's character.
Examples in context
- 我睇咗本書喇。I have read the book.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 睇 to express that you have read a book.Tatoeba #1359725 by nickyeow, translation #872853 by CK
- 我睇咗一本書。I read a book.Tatoeba #3500963 by nickyeow, translation #2651095 by CK
- 我睇咗佢本書。I read his book.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 睇 to express that you read his book.Tatoeba #3500965 by nickyeow, translation #2920854 by shekitten
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
子健 asks 美玲 if she is reading a news article on her phone.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你喺度睇緊乜嘢呀？nei5 hai2 dou6 tai2 gan2 mat1 je4 aa3?What are you reading there?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我喺度睇緊一則新聞。ngo5 hai2 dou6 tai2 gan2 jat1 zak1 san1 man4.I am reading a news report.
- 子健 Tsz Kin係咪好有趣呀？hai6 mai6 hou2 ju4 cik1 aa3?Is it very interesting?
- 美玲 Mei Ling係呀，內容好精彩。hai6 aa3, noi6 jung4 hou2 zing1 coi2.Yes, the content is very exciting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
