4.1 Types of Verbs

We can divide verbs into different types based on their function.

TypeDescriptionExample(s)
Action verbsDescribe an action

 游水  jau4 seoi2  to swim
 睇  tai2  to look at

Stative verbsDescribe a state or condition (e.g., feelings and thoughts)

 鍾意   zung1 ji3  to like
 憎  zang1  to hate

Linking verbsLink the subject and the subject complement in a sentence

 係  hai6  to be

Modal verbsExpress possibility, ability, permission, etc.

 可以  ho2 ji5  can
 識  sik1  to know how to

Modal verbs are different from the three other types of verbs. We need to use a modal verb with another verb.

Modal
verb		Another
verb
↓↓
我可以問佢。
ngo5ho2 ji5man6keoi5.
I can ask him / her.