How to Say "Meeting" in Cantonese

開會

hoi1 wui2

The English phrase 'meeting' is translated into Cantonese as 開會 (hoi1 wui2).

開會 refers to a gathering for a purpose.

Meaning: gathering for a purpose (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase consists of the verb 開 (to open/to hold) and the noun 會 (meeting/assembly).

Adding the particle 緊 after the verb creates the continuous aspect, meaning the meeting is currently in progress, forming 開緊會.

hoi1 wui2

The word 會 is also used to describe a 'guild' or a secret society in historical Cantonese contexts. This links the modern professional 'meeting' to ancient organized social structures.
In Hong Kong, the English word 'meeting' is frequently used as a loanword even when speaking Cantonese, often inserted directly into the sentence without translation.
The character 會 can also function as a modal verb meaning 'can' or 'will', which can lead to confusion in complex sentences.

呢個問題等下次開會先傾。
The matter will be brought up at the next meeting.
This sentence shows how to discuss bringing up a matter at the next 開會.
Tatoeba #390977 by nickyeow, translation #43662 by CK
尋日淨係得幾個人嚟咗開會。
Only a few people came to the meeting yesterday.
This sentence describes a situation where only a few people attended the 開會.
Tatoeba #589824 by nickyeow, translation #589822 by Swift
佢講得好清楚佢冇得準時嚟開會。
She made it clear that she couldn't make it in time for the meeting.
This sentence expresses an inability to arrive in time for the 開會.
Tatoeba #5221234 by kaenif, translation #887292 by CK
我哋今晚要開會討論下個項目。
We need to have a meeting tonight to discuss the next project.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two colleagues are talking in the office hallway.

美玲 Mei Ling

家明，你而家準備好開會未？
gaa ming, nei ji gaa zeon bei hou hoi wui mei?
Ka Ming, are you ready for the meeting now?
家明 Ka Ming

我仲有啲嘢要做，遲少少先開會。
ngo zung jau di je jiu zou, ci siu si sin hoi wui.
I still have some things to do, I'll join the meeting a bit later.
美玲 Mei Ling

但係老闆話準時開會。
daan si laau baan waa zeon si hoi wui.
But the boss said the meeting starts on time.
家明 Ka Ming

好，我即刻去開會。
hou, ngo zik hak heoi hoi wui.
Okay, I'm going to the meeting right now.

Sources

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