靜啲啦
zing6 di1 laa1
In Cantonese, "be quiet" is expressed as 靜啲啦 (zing6 di1 laa1).
The phrase 靜啲啦 is suitable for everyday situations where you want someone to lower their volume, such as in a library or a cinema.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "quiet a bit [particle]".
Which one should you use?
While 靜啲啦 is a common way to ask for quiet, other forms exist depending on the context: 噤聲 and 收聲 both mean "shut up", 唔好咁吵 means "don't be so noisy", 低聲啲啦 means "speak a bit softer" and 少啲聲 means "less noise" or "reduce the volume".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal request to "please maintain silence" commonly used in libraries, theaters or during presentations, use 請保持安靜. In informal settings, you might use 噤聲, 唔好咁吵, 低聲啲啦 or 少啲聲. Note that 收聲 is a much more aggressive and rude way to tell someone to be quiet, equivalent to 'shut up'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 啦 at the end softens the tone of the command, making it sound more like a suggestion or a gentle request.
How do you pronounce it?
zing6 di1 laa1
Did you know?
- The word 聲 in 少啲聲 refers to 'sound' or 'voice', but it is also the same character used to describe the 'reputation' or 'fame' of a person.
- Using 收聲 toward a superior or an elder in Hong Kong culture is considered an extreme act of defiance or disrespect, far beyond a simple 'shut up'.
- In Cantonese, the word for 'quiet' in 靜啲啦 is the same word used in the term 'tranquility' in classical literary contexts.
Examples in context
- 喺圖書館要靜啲啦。hai2 tou4 syu4 gun2 jiu3 jing6 di1 laa1.You should be quiet in the library.
- 細路，靜啲啦！sai3 lou6, jing6 di1 laa1!Kid, be quiet!
- 佢哋喺度講嘢，你靜啲啦。keoi5 dei6 hai2 dou6 gong2 je5, nei5 jing6 di1 laa1.They are talking, so please be quiet.
Example conversation
In a movie theater during a film.
- 家明 Ka Ming曉彤，你靜啲啦。hiu2 tung4, nei5 jing6 di1 laa1.曉彤, please be quiet.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung對唔住，我唔再嘈喇。deoi3 m4 zyu6, ngo5 m4 zoi3 cou4 laa3.Sorry, I won't be noisy anymore.
- 家明 Ka Ming唔好影響到其他人。m4 hou2 jing2 hoeng2 dou3 kei4 taa1 jat1.Don't disturb the others.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好啦，我知喇。hou2 laa1, ngo5 zi1 laa3.Okay, I know.
