37.6 The Conjunction 即係 zik1 hai6 (‘that means’)

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In Grammar and Vocabulary 37.5, we learned that the verb 即係 zik1 hai6 means ‘to be equal to, to mean’.

We can also use 即係 zik1 hai6 as a conjunction. When used as a conjunction, 即係 zik1 hai6 means ‘that means’. We can use it to introduce our interpretation of a situation. We use 即係 zik1 hai6 to start a new clause and put the interpretation after it.

Situation		即係 zik1 hai6 ‘that means’	Interpretation
間餐廳喺三十二號	，	即係	我哋應該向呢邊行	。
gaan1 caan1 teng1 hai2 saam1 sap6 ji6 hou6	，	zik1 hai6	ngo5 dei6 jing1 goi1 hoeng3 ni1 bin6 haang4	.
the restaurant is at No. 32		that means	we should walk toward this side
The restaurant is at No. 32. That means we should walk toward this side.
佢二零零九年出世	，	即係	佢今年十六歲	。
keoi5 ji6 ling4 ling4 gau2 nin4 ceot1 sai3	，	zik1 hai6	keoi5 gam1 nin4 sap6 luk6 seoi3	.
he or she was born in 2009		that means	he or she is 16 years old
He or she was born in 2009. That means he or she is 16 years old.