<p>Since <em>ma</em> in Jyutping isn't a valid syllable according to Cantonese <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonotactics" rel="noreferrer">phonotactics</a>, I assume you mean Jyutping <em>maa</em>.</p>

<p>Modern Hong Kong Cantonese has six tones, of which five are indeed valid contours for the syllable <em>maa</em>. I'll use the Jyutping tone numbers below, giving an example word for each.</p>

<ul>
<li>First tone (high level): <em>maa1</em> 媽 (mother), 孖 (twin)</li>
<li>Second tone: not possible</li>
<li>Third tone (mid level): <em>maa3</em> 嗎 (question particle)</li>
<li>Fourth tone (low falling): <em>maa4</em> 麻 (hemp)</li>
<li>Fifth tone (low rising): <em>maa5</em> 馬 (horse)</li>
<li>Sixth tone (low level): <em>maa6</em> 罵 (scold, abuse)</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-22T16:40:08.883Z
Actually maa2 is possibly in tone sandhi configurations, like 麻麻地 maa4 maa4*2 dei6*2.
dda
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-14T19:54:57.120Z
FYI, `ma` is a valid representation of `/maː/` if you're using Yale Romanization.
Claw
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-14T13:16:57.213Z
2013-10-14T13:16:57.213Z
jogloran
<p>What does the word pronounced as "ma" in Cantonese Chinese mean in English?  I understand that this syllable has five different meanings according to how it is inflected.  What are the five different meanings of this syllable?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-14T21:53:49.857Z
Which character?
deutschZuid
<translation><cantonese>
What does the word pronounced as "ma" in cantonese chinese mean in English?
# What does the word pronounced as "ma" in cantonese chinese mean in English?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-10-14)

What does the word pronounced as "ma" in Cantonese Chinese mean in English? I understand that this syllable has five different meanings according to how it is inflected. What are the five different meanings of this syllable?

**Tags:** translation, cantonese

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Which character?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-10-14. Score: 5

Since *ma* in Jyutping isn't a valid syllable according to Cantonese [phonotactics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonotactics), I assume you mean Jyutping *maa*.

Modern Hong Kong Cantonese has six tones, of which five are indeed valid contours for the syllable *maa*. I'll use the Jyutping tone numbers below, giving an example word for each.

* First tone (high level): *maa1* 媽 (mother), 孖 (twin)
* Second tone: not possible
* Third tone (mid level): *maa3* 嗎 (question particle)
* Fourth tone (low falling): *maa4* 麻 (hemp)
* Fifth tone (low rising): *maa5* 馬 (horse)
* Sixth tone (low level): *maa6* 罵 (scold, abuse)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: FYI, `ma` is a valid representation of `/maː/` if you're using Yale Romanization.  
> **username_3**: Actually maa2 is possibly in tone sandhi configurations, like 麻麻地 maa4 maa4*2 dei6*2.  

---

