約定
joek3 ding6
The Cantonese word for appointment is 約定 (joek3 ding6).
約定 refers to an arrangement for a meeting or an engagement.
Meaning: arrangement for a meeting, an engagement (noun)
Which one should you use?
In social or romantic contexts, use 約會 to mean an appointment. For professional settings, the term 預約 is a common and direct translation. If you want to specify the actual time of the appointment, use the phrase 預約時間. In daily spoken Cantonese, rather than using the noun 約定, people more commonly use the phrase 約時間 to mean 'to make an appointment' or 'to set a time'.
How do you pronounce it?
joek3 ding6
Did you know?
- The character 約 in 約定 also means 'to restrict' or 'to bind', suggesting that an appointment is a way of binding oneself to a specific time.
- In Cantonese culture, the act of 'making an appointment' 約時間 is often vague, and it is common to agree on a general time like 'afternoon' rather than a precise minute.
- If you use the term 預約 for a meeting with a friend, it can sound overly clinical, as if you are booking a service at a clinic or a restaurant.
Examples in context
- 我想預約醫生I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.
- 我想預約時間I would like to make an appointment for a specific time.
- 我要預約美容院I want to make an appointment at the beauty salon.
- 我想取消預約I would like to cancel the appointment.
Example conversation
Two friends are confirming their plans for tomorrow.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan嘉欣：家明，你記得聽日嘅約定嗎？ga1 han1: gaa1 ming4, nei5 gik1 dak1 ting1 jat6 ge3 joek3 ding6 maa1?Ka Han: Ka Ming, do you remember tomorrow's appointment?
- 家明 Ka Ming家明：記得，我哋下午兩點見。gaa1 ming4: gik1 dak1, ngo5 dei6 ha6 ng5 liu5 lept6 dim2 gin3.Ka Ming: I remember, we'll meet at 2 PM.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan嘉欣：好，唔好遲到呀。ga1 han1: hou2, m4 hou2 ci4 dou3 aa3.Ka Han: Okay, don't be late.
- 家明 Ka Ming家明：放心，我會準時到。gaa1 ming4: fong3 sam1, ngo5 wui5 zeon2 si4 dou3.Ka Ming: Don't worry, I will arrive on time.
