加油
gaa yau
The English phrase "add oil" is translated into Cantonese as 加油 (gaa yau).
加油 is used as an exclamation to cheer someone on. It is an expression of encouragement used to tell someone to keep going, do their best or to wish them good luck, similar to saying "Go!" or "Keep it up!" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the character 加 (gaa), meaning "to add" and the character 油 (yau), meaning "oil".
How do you pronounce it?
gaa yau
When do people say it?
The phrase has become a popular "Chinglish" expression in Hong Kong and among Cantonese speakers globally, often used in English-speaking contexts to mean "keep going".
Did you know?
- While 加油 is used as a cheer, it is also the technical term for 'refueling' a vehicle at a gas station.
- In many English-speaking parts of Hong Kong, people actually use the literal English translation 'add oil' as a standalone phrase in conversation. It has transitioned from a direct translation to a widely recognized piece of local slang.
- In some contexts, 加油 is used to cheer on someone who is eating a large amount of food, effectively meaning 'keep eating' or 'finish your plate'.
Examples in context
- 加油！你可以做得到！ (gaa1 jau4! nei5 ho2 ji5 zou6 dak1!)Add oil! You can do it!
- 你要加油呀！nei5 jiu3 gaa1 jau2 aa1!You have to keep going!
- 考試快到了，加油！haau2 si5 faai3 dou3 liu5, gaa1 jau2!The exam is coming, do your best!
- 我會加油嘅。ngo5 wui5 gaa1 jau2 ge3.I will do my best.
Example conversation
Two friends are studying for a final exam together.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我唔知可唔可以考到好分。ngo m zi ho m ho ji haau dou hou fan.I don't know if I can get a good grade.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔好擔心，加油！m hou dam sam, gaa jau!Don't worry, keep it up!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit多謝你，曉彤。do ze nei, hiu tung.Thank you, Hiu Tung.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我哋一齊努力。ngo dei jat cai nou lik.Let's work hard together.
