17.5 Yes-No Questions with Predicative Adjectives

We can use the X-not-X construction to form a yes-no question with a predicative adjective. In the X-not-X construction, where X represents the predicative adjective, we combine the positive form (X) and the negative form (not X) of the predicative adjective. To make the negative form, we simply add 唔 m4 (‘not’) before the predicative adjective.

If the predicative adjective has more than one syllable, we keep only the first syllable and omit the other syllables in the positive form.

We don’t need to add an adverb (the default adverb 好 hou2 or other degree words) in this type of question.

To answer the question, we can give a short answer or a long answer. We give a short answer more often.

We don’t need to add an adverb (the default adverb 好 hou2 or other degree words) in the answers. However, we can do so if we want to specify the intensity of the adjective.