31.2 Definite Noun Phrases
We use definite noun phrases to refer to specific people or things (i.e. when we have specific people or things in mind). For example, it can be a specific plate on our table. To form a definite noun phrase, we add a classifier before a noun. This is similar to noun phrases with the definite article the in English (e.g., the plate).
We can put a definite noun phrase after the verb (as an object or a subject complement) or before the verb (as a subject or a topic) in a sentence.
我收一收隻碟呀吓。
ngo5 sau1 jat1 sau1 zek3 dip2 aa3 haa2.
I will collect the plate.
隻碟 zek3 dip2 (‘the plate’) refers to the specific plate which the speaker wants to collect. It is the object of the sentence.
個甜品仲未嚟呀 。
go3 tim4 ban2 zung6 mei6 lai4 aa3.
The dessert still hasn’t come yet.
個甜品 go3 tim4 ban2 (‘the dessert’) refers to the specific dessert which the speaker has ordered. It is the subject of the sentence.
For plural or uncountable nouns, we can use the classifier 啲 di1.
我收一收啲碟呀吓。
ngo5 sau1 jat1 sau1 di1 dip2 aa3 haa2.
I will collect the plates.
啲碟 di1 dip2 (‘the plates’) refers to the specific plates which the speaker wants to collect.
啲甜品仲未嚟呀 。
di1 tim4 ban2 zung6 mei6 lai4 aa3.
The desserts still haven’t come yet.
啲甜品 di1 tim4 ban2 (‘the desserts’) refers to the specific desserts which the speaker has ordered.