Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “hurry up” in Cantonese! Whether you need to communicate your urgency in a formal or informal setting, this guide will provide you with various ways to express the notion of hurrying in Cantonese. Additionally, we’ll discuss any regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Hurry Up”
When you find yourself in a formal situation where you need to politely express the need for urgency, the following phrases will come in handy:
1. 着急啲 (zoek gāp dai)
The phrase “着急啲” (zoek gāp dai) is a polite way to say “hurry up” in Cantonese. It conveys the sense of urgency while maintaining a respectful tone. This phrase is suitable for formal conversations, such as with professors, employers, or when addressing someone in a higher position.
Example:
Situation: You have an important meeting to attend, and your colleague is taking too long to prepare.
You: 同事，我哋要返工嘅時間快到喇，可以着急啲嗎？ (Tùhng si, ngo dei yiu faan gūng ge sìh gān faai dou laa, hóng moh zhāk gāp dai maa?)
Colleague: 啊，好嘞，我二十秒就好。(Aa, hóu lo, ngo ji sap mouh jau hóu.)
Translation: Colleague, it’s almost time for us to go back to work. Could you please hurry up?
Informal Ways to Say “Hurry Up”
When you’re in a more casual setting or speaking with friends, family, or peers, you can use the following expressions to tell someone to hurry up:
1. 快啲啦 (faai dai laa)
The phrase “快啲啦” (faai dai laa) is an informal and commonly used way to urge someone to hurry up. It’s suitable for everyday conversations among friends, siblings, or acquaintances. This expression features a friendly and casual tone.
Example:
Situation: You are waiting for your friend who is taking too long to get ready before going out.
You: 朋友，我哋等到飛機都起飛喇，快啲啦！ (Pàng yǎu, ngo dei dáang dou fēi gēi dou hei fēi laa, faai dai laa!)
Friend: 我哋差唔多好。 搞掂嘞！ (Ngo dei chā m m duo hóu. Gǎu dim lo!)
Translation: Friend, the plane is about to take off, hurry up!
Regional Variations
The Cantonese language variations across different regions can influence the vocabulary and expressions used to convey “hurry up.” However, the phrases mentioned earlier are commonly understood and used throughout most Cantonese-speaking areas.
Tips for Using “Hurry Up” Effectively
Here are some tips to effectively communicate a sense of urgency:
- Be polite: When expressing the need for someone to hurry up formally, it’s important to maintain a polite tone to show respect.
- Consider your relationship: Use informal expressions when speaking with friends or family, and formal expressions when addressing superiors or strangers to maintain appropriateness.
- Body language and tone: Pairing your verbal cues with appropriate body language and tone can reinforce the urgency of the situation.
- Practice pronunciation: To ensure your message is understood clearly, practice the pronunciation of the phrases and pay attention to the correct tones.
- Modify expressions: If you want to emphasize a greater sense of urgency, you can modify the phrases by adding adverbs like “非常” (fēi sèung) meaning “very” before the phrase or expressing the time constraint explicitly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has provided you with formal and informal ways to say “hurry up” in Cantonese, along with some valuable tips on effectively delivering your message. Remember, the phrases mentioned in this guide will be widely understood throughout most Cantonese-speaking areas, but variations may exist depending on regions. Practice these expressions, and you’ll be well-equipped to communicate your urgency in Cantonese.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you. Happy speaking and may you succeed in conveying the sense of urgency appropriately!
