When comparing different items, we often say things like ‘this one’ and ‘the other one’. We will learn three words that can be used to refer to other items in a context.

To say ‘the other …’, we can use the pronoun 另外 ling6 ngoi6 (‘other; another’) to form a noun phrase. We first say 另外 ling6 ngoi6 and then the number, the classifier and the noun. Note that the same noun phrase can also mean ‘another …’.

If the number is 一 jat1 (‘one’), we can optionally omit the number. However, when 一 jat1 is omitted, the noun phrase usually only means ‘the other …’.

We often omit the noun if it is obvious in the context. Note that if we omit the noun, we don’t omit the number 一 jat1 at the same time.

We can add the demonstratives 呢 ni1 / nei1 (‘this’) and 嗰 go2 (‘that’) after 另外 ling6 ngoi6. If the number is 一 jat1 (‘one’), we can optionally omit the number.

Again, we often omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

We can use the classifier 啲 di1 if the noun is plural or uncountable. Note that the same noun phrase can mean ‘the other …’ or ‘other …’.

We can add the demonstratives 呢 ni1 / nei1 (‘this’) and 嗰 go2 (‘that’) after 另外 ling6 ngoi6.

We can omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

We can also use the particle 嘅 ge3 instead of a classifier. Note that the same noun phrase can mean ‘the other …’ or ‘other …’.

We can also use the word 另一 ling6 jat1 (‘another; other’) to mean ‘another …’ or ‘the other …’.

Again, we often omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

We can use the classifier 啲 di1 if the noun is plural or uncountable.

We can omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

The ordinal number 第二 dai6 ji6 means ‘second’. We can also use 第二 dai6 ji6 as a pronoun to mean ‘another; other’. We sometimes contract 第二 dai6 ji6 as 第 dai6.

Again, we often omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

We can use the classifier 啲 di1 if the noun is plural or uncountable.

We can omit the noun if it is obvious in the context.

Some of the noun phrases above have more than one meaning. The meaning can be definite (‘the other …’) or indefinite (‘another / other …’). The actual meaning depends on the context. If the noun phrase appears before the verb (as subject or topic), the meaning will be definite (‘the other …’). If the noun phrase appears after the verb (as object or subject complement), the meaning can be definite (‘the other …’) or indefinite (‘another / other …’). In such cases, we will need other information in the context to decide whether the noun phrase is definite or indefinite.