I heard on a radio ad recently something that sounded something like "mouh gong mh do" (sorry for the poor romanization)
I'd have thought this would literally translate to "don't say no more" though I guess it means "don't say any more"
Are double negatives acceptable in Cantonese (or is it slang?).. or did I just mishear/mistranslate the whole thing?
Thanks..
Julz
Double negatives
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I
Re: Double negatives
Yes, we do use "double negatives" in our daily life especially when suspecting sth or querying others. For example: (verbal ONLY)
- nei5 m4hai6 m4zi1dou3, hai6maa3?
雿
- nei5 m4hai6 m4zi1dou3, hai6maa3?
雿
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Julian
Re: Double negatives
>Please note that "m4 gong2 gam2 do1" and "m4 >hou2 gong2 gam2 do1" are not identical to one >another and are used under different situations. >Do you realize that? 
hmm.. no I don't know what the difference is - but I realize I have a lot more listening/study to do before I attempt to use double negatives..
Thanks for the info
hmm.. no I don't know what the difference is - but I realize I have a lot more listening/study to do before I attempt to use double negatives..
Thanks for the info
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I
"m4 gong2 gam2 do1" & "m4 hou2 gong2 gam2
>>: hmm.. no I don't know what the difference is -
>> but I realize I have a lot more listening/
>> study to do before I attempt to use double
>> negatives..
>>
Let me explain to you the differences between them then. But before that, please note that the following just shows you the MOST common usage. There could be some other "special cases" that means differently.
Usually they are spoken before changing topics or ending a conversation, but
"m4 gong2 gam2 do1" - speakers use this to start a new topic or end a conversation. It is very common to end a conversation before hanging up the phone, and of course should be followed by a "goodbye!"
"m4 hou2 gong2 gam2 do1" - people speak to the speakers trying to change topic or end the conversation. Sometimes, it makes the speakers feel that you are fed up with the conversation simply you are not interested. HOWEVER, on the other hand it is VERY USEFUL to comfort others. It is used to interupt and stop the bad feeling of the speaker. It is something like "hey, juz forget the bad thing and concentrate on the good!!!"
So, be careful to use them, or people may think otherwise:P
I
>> but I realize I have a lot more listening/
>> study to do before I attempt to use double
>> negatives..
>>
Let me explain to you the differences between them then. But before that, please note that the following just shows you the MOST common usage. There could be some other "special cases" that means differently.
Usually they are spoken before changing topics or ending a conversation, but
"m4 gong2 gam2 do1" - speakers use this to start a new topic or end a conversation. It is very common to end a conversation before hanging up the phone, and of course should be followed by a "goodbye!"
"m4 hou2 gong2 gam2 do1" - people speak to the speakers trying to change topic or end the conversation. Sometimes, it makes the speakers feel that you are fed up with the conversation simply you are not interested. HOWEVER, on the other hand it is VERY USEFUL to comfort others. It is used to interupt and stop the bad feeling of the speaker. It is something like "hey, juz forget the bad thing and concentrate on the good!!!"
So, be careful to use them, or people may think otherwise:P
I