How to Say "Sit Down" in Cantonese

坐低

co⁵ dai¹

To sit down in Cantonese is 坐低 (co⁵ dai¹).

The phrase 坐低 is used both as a command to sit and as a suggestion to sit and relax/chat.

Meaning: to assume a sitting position from a standing position (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

This phrase is composed of the verb 坐 (sit) and the adverb 低 (low), literally meaning 'sit low'.

坐低 (co⁵ dai¹) is the common way to say 'sit down' in spoken Cantonese, whereas the formal written form is 坐下 (co⁵ ha⁶).

To express that someone has already sat down, add the aspect marker 咗 after the phrase, resulting in 坐低咗.

co⁵ dai¹

In Cantonese, the word 坐 (sit) is also used to describe taking a ride in a vehicle, such as 坐車 for 'taking a car' or 'sitting in a car'.
When inviting someone to 坐低 in a home, it is customary to point toward the seat with the whole hand open rather than using a single finger, which is considered rude.
While 坐低 means 'sit down', adding the word for 'steady' or 'stable' creates the phrase 坐定定, which is a common parental command telling children to 'sit still' and behave.

我想你坐低。
I want you to sit down.
This sentence shows how to use 坐低 to express a desire for someone to sit down.
Tatoeba #5730002 by nickyeow, translation #2011798 by CK
不如坐低吖。
Why don't we sit down?
This sentence shows how to use 坐低 as a suggestion to sit down.
Tatoeba #6103533 by nickyeow, translation #2281886 by CK
你坐低休息吓啦。
nei5 zo6 dai1 jau2 sik1 haa5 laa1.
Sit down and have a rest.

Ka Yan invites Chun Kit to sit in the living room.

嘉欣 Ka Yan

俊傑，你坐低休息下。
zeon3 gitcit, nei5 zo6 dai1 jau1 sik1 haa5
Chun Kit, sit down and take a rest.
俊傑 Chun Kit

唔該，我而家就坐低。
m4 goi1, ngo5 ji4 gaa1 zau6 zo6 dai1
Thanks, I'll sit down now.
嘉欣 Ka Yan

你要飲啲咩水？
nei5 jiu3 jam2 di1 me1 seoi2
What would you like to drink?
俊傑 Chun Kit

一杯熱水就夠喇。
jat1 bui1 jit6 seoi2 zau6 gau3 laa3
A glass of hot water is enough.

Sources

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