果度
go2 dou6
In Cantonese, 'there' is expressed as 果度 (go2 dou6).
The term is an adverb used to indicate a position in or at that place.
Meaning: in or at that place (position) (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 果 (that) and 度 (place/location), literally meaning 'that place'.
Which one should you use?
果度 is the distal counterpart to 呢度, which means 'here'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify being 'at' or 'in' that place, you typically add the preposition 喺 before 果度, forming 喺果度.
How do you pronounce it?
go2 dou6
Did you know?
- When talking about 'there' in a metaphorical sense, such as 'there is a problem', Cantonese does not use 果度 but instead uses 有, meaning 'to have'.
- The phrase 喺果度 can be turned into a question simply by adding 呀 at the end, meaning you do not need to change the word order to ask 'Is it there?'
- While 果度 is common in spoken Cantonese, in formal writing you will see the word 那裡, which is virtually never used in natural conversation.
Examples in context
- 你去嗰度點解冇見到佢？Why didn't you see him when you went there?
- 我喺果度。ngo5 hai2 go2 dou6.I am there.
- 件衫喺果度。gin6 saam1 hai2 go2 dou6.The shirt is there.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking for a lost key in a living room.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting你見唔見到我把匙？nei5 gin3 m4 gin3 dou3 ngo5 baa5 si4?Have you seen my key?
- 子健 Tsz Kin喺果度呀。hai2 go2 dou6 aa3.It is there.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting多謝你。do1 ze6 nei5.Thank you.
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔使客氣。m4 sai2 haak3 hei3.You're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
