51.3 The Verbal Particle 定 ding6 (‘in advance’)

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The verbal particle 定 ding6 adds the meaning of ‘in advance’ to a sentence. We can use 定 ding6 to indicate that we do an action in advance as preparation for another activity.

我下個月去旅行呀，所以想睇定啲褸呀。
ngo5 haa6 go3 jyut6 heoi3 leoi5 hang4 aa3, so2 ji5 soeng2 tai2 ding6 di1 lau1 aa3.
I will go traveling next month, so I want to look at the coats in advance.

我下個月去飲呀，所以要買定條裙呀。
ngo5 haa6 go3 jyut6 heoi3 jam2 aa3, so2 ji5 jiu3 maai5 ding6 tiu4 kwan4 aa3.
I will go to a wedding dinner next month, so I need to buy a dress in advance.