遲
chi
In Cantonese, the word for late is 遲 (chi).
The adjective 遲 is used to describe something that is not arriving until after an expected time. You can also use the phrase 遲咗 to indicate that the state of being late has already occurred or is currently happening.
Meaning: not arriving until after an expected time (adj)
Which one should you use?
The antonym of 遲 (late) is 早 (early).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 遲 is often combined with the verb 到 to form the compound verb 遲到, which means 'to arrive late'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chi.
Did you know?
- If you are 'late' to understand a concept, Cantonese uses the term 遲鈍 (chi deon), which translates closer to 'dull' or 'blunt' in English.
- A common way to apologize for being late is to say 唔好意思, which literally means 'no good meaning' but functions as 'excuse me' or 'sorry'.
- In Hong Kong, people often use the English word 'late' mixed into Cantonese sentences instead of 遲, especially in professional office environments.
Examples in context
- 佢塞車遲到。She was late because of the heavy traffic.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 遲 to describe being late due to traffic.Tatoeba #5359788 by nickyeow, translation #313553 by CK
- 森美又遲到喇。Sami is late again.This sentence shows how to use 遲 when someone is late again.Tatoeba #6108609 by nickyeow, translation #6101317 by OsoHombre
- 阿湯返學例遲。Tom was late for school as usual.This sentence illustrates using 遲 to describe being late for school as a habitual action.Tatoeba #12059865 by thesilhouette, translation #4012138 by CK
- 我遲到了。I am late.
- 呢班車遲到咗。This bus is late.
- 佢遲咗好耐先返屋企。He returned home very late.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A woman and a man are meeting at a restaurant.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你點解遲咗咁耐？nei5 dim2 gaai2 ci4 zo2 gam3 doi6?Why are you so late?
- 志強 Chi Keung對唔住，我今日遲咗。deoi3 m4 zyu6, ngo5 gam1 jat6 ci4 zo2.I am sorry, I am late today.
- 美玲 Mei Ling冇問題，我啱啱到。mou5 man6 tai4, ngo5 aam4 aam1 dou3.No problem, I just arrived.
- 志強 Chi Keung我哋快啲嗌嘢食啦。ngo5 dei6 faai3 di1 aai3 je5 sik6 laa1.Let's order food quickly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
