27.1 Indefinite Noun Phrases III
In Grammar and Vocabulary 6.2, we learned that we can use indefinite noun phrases to refer to a type of person or thing in general. In Grammar and Vocabulary 21.1, we learned that we use indefinite noun phrases to introduce new people or things that we mention for the first time in a conversation.
We also use indefinite noun phrases when referring to non-specific people or things (i.e. when we don’t have specific people or things in mind). To form an indefinite noun phrase, we add the number 一 jat1 (‘one’) and a classifier before a noun. This is similar to noun phrases with the indefinite article a or an in English (e.g., a chicken).
不如叫一隻雞吖。
bat1 jyu2 giu3 jat1 zek3 gai1 aa1.
Why don’t we order a chicken?
The noun phrase 一隻雞 jat1 zek3 gai1 is an indefinite noun phrase. It doesn’t refer to a specific chicken. It can be any chicken.
我想叫一條魚呀。
ngo5 soeng2 giu3 jat1 tiu4 jyu2 aa3.
I want to order a fish.
The noun phrase 一條魚 jat1 tiu4 jyu2 is an indefinite noun phrase. It doesn’t refer to a specific fish. It can be any fish.
We can omit the number 一 jat1 if the indefinite noun phrase appears after a verb (as an object or a subject complement).
不如叫隻雞吖。
bat1 jyu2 giu3 zek3 gai1 aa1.
Why don’t we order a chicken?
我想叫條魚呀。
ngo5 soeng2 giu3 tiu4 jyu2 aa3.
I want to order a fish.
In Grammar and Vocabulary 2.1, we learned that 啲 di1 is the classifier for plural or uncountable nouns. We can add the number 一 jat1 (‘one’) and the classifier 啲 di1 before a noun to mean ‘some …’.
不如叫一啲菜吖。
bat1 jyu2 giu3 jat1 di1 coi3 aa1.
Why don’t we order some vegetables?
The noun phrase 一啲菜 jat1 di1 coi3 is an indefinite noun phrase. It doesn’t refer to specific vegetables. It can be any vegetables.
我想叫一啲甜品呀。
ngo5 soeng2 giu3 jat1 di1 tim4 ban2 aa3.
I want to order some desserts.
The noun phrase 一啲甜品 jat1 di1 tim4 ban2 is an indefinite noun phrase. It doesn’t refer to specific desserts. It can be any desserts.
When the classifier is 啲 di1, we usually omit the number 一 jat1 if the indefinite noun phrase appears after a verb (as an object or a subject complement).
不如叫啲菜吖。
bat1 jyu2 giu3 di1 coi3 aa1.
Why don’t we order some vegetables?
我想叫啲甜品呀。
ngo5 soeng2 giu3 di1 tim4 ban2 aa3.
I want to order some desserts.
We don’t omit the number 一 jat1 if the indefinite noun phrase appears before a verb (as a subject). Otherwise, the noun phrase will become definite. We will learn more about this in later lessons. Compare:
一個套餐有兩個餸。
jat1 go3 tou3 caan1 jau5 loeng5 go3 sung3.
A set meal has two dishes.
個套餐有兩個餸。
go3 tou3 caan1 jau5 loeng5 go3 sung3.
The set meal has two dishes.