約會
joek3 wui6
In Cantonese, the term for date is 約會 (joek3 wui6).
While it can mean a general appointment, in a social context, it is most commonly used to refer to a romantic date.
Meaning: point in time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 約會 is composed of 約 (to agree/promise) and 會 (to meet/meeting).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can function as both a noun (a date) and a verb (to date/to have a date) in Cantonese.
How do you pronounce it?
joek3 wui6
Did you know?
- While 約會 describes the act of dating, Cantonese speakers often use the phrase 拍拖 (literally 'wearing slippers') to describe the state of being in a relationship.
- Cantonese has a specific term 曖昧 to describe the 'grey area' or flirtatious tension that happens before two people officially start to 約會.
- The character 約 in 約會 is also the root of the word for 'approximately' or 'roughly' in Cantonese.
Example conversation
Meiling and Kam Ming are planning their weekend.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你星期六有冇時間約會？nei5 sing1 kei4 luk6 jau5 mou5 si4 gaan3 joek3 wui6?Do you have time for a date this Saturday?
- 家明 Ka Ming有呀，我想同你食飯。jau5 aa3, ngo5 soeng2 tung4 nei5 sik6 faan6.Yes, I want to have dinner with you.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好，我哋定好約會時間。hou2, ngo5 dei6 ding6 hou2 joek3 wui6 si4 gaan3.Great, let's set a time for the date.
- 家明 Ka Ming冇問題，星期六見！mou5 man6 tai2, sing1 kei4 luk6 gin3!No problem, see you Saturday!
