6.5 The Aspect Particle 緊 gan2 (Progressive)

The aspect particle 緊 gan2 functions like the -ing ending in English verbs (e.g., I am eating). We use 緊 gan2 to indicate an activity is ongoing. The activity can be happening right at the time of speaking or happening currently. In grammar, this aspect is called the progressive aspect.

  1. 我做緊嘢。
    ngo5 zou6 gan2 je5.
    I am working.
    緊 gan2 indicates that the activity 做嘢 jou6 je6 (‘to work’ or ‘to do tasks for work’) is ongoing. The sentence means ‘I am currently working (I have a job)’. Note that it can also mean ‘I am doing some tasks for work’.

  2. 我讀緊書。
    ngo5 duk6 gan2 syu1.
    I am studying.
    緊 gan2 indicates that the activity 讀書 duk6 syu1 (‘to study’) is ongoing. The sentence means ‘I am currently studying (I am a student)’.