What is the correct measure for the word for watch (biu - high level)?
A 1970 Cantonese course I am using at the moment teaches "go biu" (where the go is mid level and the biu is high level). This is also in a dictionary (1991 edition) that I have.
However, a Cantonese speaker I know in Sydney says that I should say "je biu" (where both are high level).
Which one is the better choice?
Measure for watch (biu)
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lisa c
Re: Measure for watch (biu)
I don't know which is technicallly correct, but I've heard "go" and "je" used interchangeably as a measurement for "biu"
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rizdimanche
Re: Measure for watch (biu)
interesting! i think when you say my/your watch or someone's watch or this/that watch, you can say either "go" or "je", both of them sound perfect. but when number is involved as in the measurement of the quantity of watches, i would say "je" rather than "go" because "go" gives me the feeling of watch withour strap.
: I don't know which is technicallly correct, but I've heard "go" and "je" used interchangeably as a measurement for "biu"
: I don't know which is technicallly correct, but I've heard "go" and "je" used interchangeably as a measurement for "biu"
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Hing Man
Re: Measure for watch (biu)
: What is the correct measure for the word for watch (biu - high level)?
: A 1970 Cantonese course I am using at the moment teaches "go biu" (where the go is mid level and the biu is high level). This is also in a dictionary (1991 edition) that I have.
: However, a Cantonese speaker I know in Sydney says that I should say "je biu" (where both are high level).
: Which one is the better choice?
Hi Eugene,
The correect measure word for biu is indeed 'go',it's certainly the one used when writing. nowadays'Jek'sems to be used interchangably with 'go', maybe its got something to do with the fact that 'jek' is the measure word for Sau (hand) I know that a lot of Malaysian Chinese tend to substitute 'go' with another measure usually 'jek' or in some cases 'TIUH'.
: A 1970 Cantonese course I am using at the moment teaches "go biu" (where the go is mid level and the biu is high level). This is also in a dictionary (1991 edition) that I have.
: However, a Cantonese speaker I know in Sydney says that I should say "je biu" (where both are high level).
: Which one is the better choice?
Hi Eugene,
The correect measure word for biu is indeed 'go',it's certainly the one used when writing. nowadays'Jek'sems to be used interchangably with 'go', maybe its got something to do with the fact that 'jek' is the measure word for Sau (hand) I know that a lot of Malaysian Chinese tend to substitute 'go' with another measure usually 'jek' or in some cases 'TIUH'.
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rizdimanche
Re: Measure for watch (biu)
be careful. in cantonese "go biu" can be a watch, a gauge, a meter (measuring instrument such as milemeter, water meter, electrical meter, multimeter, etc.). but "jek biu" wouldn't go that far, it's simply "a wristwatch" generally. in no case should you say, "tiu biu..." except you are referring "tiu biu daai" the watchstrap!!!
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Leo
Re: Measure for watch (biu)
: I don't know which is technicallly correct, but I've heard "go" and "je" used interchangeably as a measurement for "biu"