38.6 Sequence Words
When giving instructions with several steps, we often add sequence words. Here are some common sequence words:
Note that when giving instructions with several steps, we don’t usually use 第一 dai6 jat1 (‘first’), 第二 dai6 ji6 (‘second’), 第三 dai6 saam1 (‘third’), etc. as the sequence words in Cantonese.
We put a sequence word at the beginning of the sentence.
首先向呢邊行，跟住向左邊行，之後向右邊行。
sau2 sin1 hoeng3 ni1 bin6 haang4, gan1 zyu6 hoeng3 zo2 bin6 haang4, zi1 hau6 hoeng3 jau6 bin6 haang4.
First, walk toward this side. And then, walk toward the left side. After that, walk toward the right side.
If there is a subject in the sentence, we can put the sequence word before or after the subject.
首先你向呢邊行，跟住向左邊行，之後向右邊行。
sau2 sin1 nei5 hoeng3 ni1 bin6 haang4, gan1 zyu6 hoeng3 zo2 bin6 haang4, zi1 hau6 hoeng3 jau6 bin6 haang4.
你首先向呢邊行，跟住向左邊行，之後向右邊行。
nei5 sau2 sin1 hoeng3 ni1 bin6 haang4, gan1 zyu6 hoeng3 zo2 bin6 haang4, zi1 hau6 hoeng3 jau6 bin6 haang4.
First, walk toward this side. And then, walk toward the left side. After that, walk toward the right side.