31.6 Emphasizing Something with 係 hai6 (‘to be’)
We can add the verb 係 hai6 (‘to be’) before a verb phrase to emphasize something. For example, when the food is served but it is incorrect, we can use 係 hai6 to emphasize what is correct (what we actually want).
我係要B餐呀。
ngo5 hai6 jiu3 B caan1 aa3.
What I want is Set B.
係 hai6 is added before the verb phrase 要B餐 jiu3 B caan1 (‘to want Set B’) to emphasize that Set B is actually wanted.
We can also use 唔係 m4 hai6 (唔 m4 ‘not’ + 係 hai6 ‘to be’) to emphasize what is incorrect (what we don’t actually want).
我唔係要D餐呀。
ngo5 m4 hai6 jiu3 D caan1 aa3.
What I want is not Set D.
唔係 m4 hai6 is added before the verb phrase 要D餐 jiu3 D caan1 (‘to want Set D’) to emphasize that Set D is not actually wanted.
We often use 係 hai6 and 唔係 m4 hai6 together to emphasize what is correct and what is incorrect at the same time.
我係要B餐，唔係要D餐呀。
ngo5 hai6 jiu3 B caan1, m4 hai6 jiu3 D caan1 aa3.
What I want is Set B. What I want is not Set D.