快啲
faai3 di1
To hurry in Cantonese is to say 快啲 (faai3 di1).
In Cantonese, 快啲 is often used as an adverbial phrase to mean 'hurry' rather than a standalone verb.
Meaning: to do things quickly (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 快 (fast) and the particle 啲 (a bit/more), literally meaning 'fast a bit'.
Which one should you use?
If you want to tell someone to hurry up specifically with a manual task or physical movement, you can use 快手啲 (faai3 sau2 di1), which literally means 'faster hands a bit'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the sentence-final particle 啦 (laa1) to the end of 快啲 makes it a natural imperative or a gentle urging, commonly used when telling someone to hurry.
How do you pronounce it?
faai3 di1
Did you know?
- Cantonese has a specific concept called 趕時間 (gon2 si4 gaan1), which literally means 'chasing time', used when you are in a hurry because of a strict deadline.
- The character 快 (faai3) is also used in the word for 'happy' 快樂 (faai3 lok6), linking the concept of speed with the feeling of lightness and joy.
- In Cantonese, if you are extremely rushed and panicked, you might use the term 急 (gap1), which relates more to 'anxiety' or 'urgency' than the physical speed of 'fast'.
Examples in context
- 快啲啦，如果唔係我哋就遲到㗎喇。Hurry up, or we'll be late.This example shows how to use 快啲 to express the consequence of being late.Tatoeba #670575 by nickyeow, translation #19743 by CK
- 「阿Tom，快啲啦。」「嚟緊喇！」"Tom, hurry up." "I'm coming!"This example shows a short exchange using 快啲 to urge someone.Tatoeba #5795833 by nickyeow, translation #1889727 by CK
- 快啲啦，你仲慢吞吞噉我哋就遲到㗎喇。Come on, we'll be late if you don't hurry up.This example uses 快啲 to urge someone who is being slow.Tatoeba #410711 by nickyeow, translation #54273 by sundown
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are leaving the house for a movie.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting快啲啦，電影就快開始喇。faai3 di1 laa1, din6 jing2 zau6 faai3 hoi1 ci2 laa3.Hurry up, the movie is about to start.
- 子健 Tsz Kin我快啲著鞋就走。ngo5 faai3 di1 zoek3 haai4 zau6 zau2.I'll hurry and put on my shoes and leave.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting你快啲，我哋冇時間喇。nei5 faai3 di1, ngo5 dei6 mou5 si4 gaan3 laa3.Hurry up, we have no more time.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好啦，我出嚟喇！hou2 laa1, ngo5 ceot1 lai4 laa3!Okay, I'm coming out now!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
