Progressive Tense with '緊' — Cantonese Grammar

The particle (gan2gángan2) is used to indicate the progressive aspect, meaning an action is currently in progress. It functions similarly to the English suffix -ing. To use it, place (gan2gángan2) immediately after the main verb.

Basic Structure

The most basic sentence structure is Subject + Verb + (gan2gángan2). This indicates that the subject is performing the action right now.

我食緊。
ngo5 sik6 gan2.ngóh sihk gán.ngo5 sik9 gan2.
I am eating.
佢瞓緊。
keoi5 fan3 gan2.kéuih fan gán.koey5 fan3 gan2.
He is sleeping.
外面落緊雨。
ngoi6·min6 lok6 gan2 jyu5.ngoih·mihn lohk gán yúh.ngoi6·min6 lok9 gan2 jy5.
It is raining outside.

Using Objects

When the sentence includes an object (the thing being acted upon), (gan2gángan2) must stay attached to the verb. It acts as a suffix. The order is Verb + (gan2gángan2) + Object. Do not place the particle after the object.

我睇緊書。
ngo5 tai2 gan2 syu1.ngóh tái gán syū.ngo5 tai2 gan2 sy1.
I am reading a book.
媽媽煮緊飯。
maa1·maa1 zyu2 gan2 faan6.mā·mā jyú gán faahn.maa1·maa1 dzy2 gan2 faan6.
Mom is cooking a meal.
佢洗緊碗。
keoi5 sai2 gan2 wun2.kéuih sái gán wún.koey5 sai2 gan2 wun2.
He is washing the dishes.

Asking "What are you doing?"

This particle is frequently used in questions to ask about current activities.

你做緊乜嘢？
nei5 zou6 gan2 mat1·je5?néih jouh gán māt·yéh?nei5 dzou6 gan2 mat7·je5?
What are you doing?
你睇緊咩呀？
nei5 tai2 gan2 me1 aa3?néih tái gán mē a?nei5 tai2 gan2 me1 aa3?
What are you watching?

Emphasizing "Right Now"

While (gan2gángan2) already implies the action is happening now, you can add the time word (ji4·gaa1yìh·gāji4·gaa1), meaning now, to emphasize the timing. This is often placed at the start of the sentence or before the verb.

我而家返緊屋企。
ngo5 ji4·gaa1 faan1 gan2 uk1·kei2.ngóh yìh·gā fāan gán ūk·kéi.ngo5 ji4·gaa1 faan1 gan2 uk7·kei2.
I am returning home right now.
佢而家講緊電話。
keoi5 ji4·gaa1 gong2 gan2 din6·waa2.kéuih yìh·gā góng gán dihn·wá.koey5 ji4·gaa1 gong2 gan2 din6·waa2.
She is talking on the phone right now.

Exceptions: Stative Verbs

(gan2gángan2) is generally used with action verbs. It is not used with "stative" verbs that describe a state of being, feelings, or possession. Verbs like (hai6haihhai6) to be, (jau5yáuhjau5) to have, (sik1sīksik7) to know, or (zung1·ji3jūng·yidzung1·ji3) to like do not take this particle.

我識佢。
ngo5 sik1 keoi5.ngóh sīk kéuih.ngo5 sik7 koey5.
I know him. (Not "I am knowing him")
我鍾意呢個。
ngo5 zung1·ji3 ni1 go3.ngóh jūng·yi nī go.ngo5 dzung1·ji3 ni1 go3.
I like this. (Not "I am liking this")

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Cantonese course

29 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 6. A few of them, with the words “Progressive Tense with '緊'” is about in bold:

佢都係瞓緊覺。佢就冇瞓。
keoi5 dou1 hai6 fan3 gan2 gaau3. keoi5 zau6 mou5 fan3.kéuih dōu haih fan gán gaau. kéuih jauh móuh fan.koey5 dou1 hai6 fan3 gan2 gaau3. koey5 dzau6 mou5 fan3.
He is also sleeping. She isn't.
Lesson 16

Comments

Loading comments…