4.3 Preference Verbs and Degree Words
We use preference verbs to show that we like or dislike something. Preference verbs are stative verbs because they describe feelings.
We use degree words to indicate how much we like or dislike something.
唔係好 m4 hai6 hou2 is technically not a degree word, but we can use it like other degree words.
Degree words are adverbs. We put them before a preference verb to modify the preference verb.
By using preference verbs and degree words together, we can form different expressions to express likes and dislikes of different degrees.
⚠️ We don’t often say 憎 zang1 without a degree word.
If we need to add the adverb 都 dou1 (‘too’ or ‘also’), we put 都 dou1 before the degree word.
我都勁鍾意行山。
ngo5 dou1 ging6 zung1 ji3 haang4 saan1.
I like hiking very, very much too.
😈 Sensitive Content
The Word 撚 lan2
When a sentence has a degree word, we can add the word 撚 lan2 (‘dick’) after the degree word. The word 撚 lan2 makes our tone stronger and adds extra emphasis on how much we like or dislike something.
-
我好撚鍾意彈琴呀。
ngo5 hou2 lan2 zung1 ji3 taan4 kam4 aa3.
I like playing the piano very much. -
我超撚憎彈琴呀。
ngo5 ciu1 lan2 zang1 taan4 kam4 aa3.
I hate playing the piano very, very much.
If the sentence has both the adverb 唔 m4 (‘not’) and a degree word, we can add 撚 lan2 either after 唔 m4 or after the degree word.
-
我超唔撚鍾意彈琴呀。
ngo5 ciu1 m4 lan2 zung1 ji3 taan4 kam4 aa3.
I dislike playing the piano very, very much. -
我超撚唔鍾意彈琴呀。
ngo5 ciu1 lan2 m4 zung1 ji3 taan4 kam4 aa3.
I dislike playing the piano very, very much.
⚠️ While we will learn some foul language in this book, you should use it with extra caution. Some Hong Kong Cantonese speakers consider speaking foul language to be a very serious misconduct. They will feel extremely offended if they hear any foul language.