放假
fong3 gaa3
In Cantonese, the phrase for vacation is 放假 (fong3 gaa3).
放假 is used to describe having a vacation or a period of leisure time. It is commonly used for both scheduled breaks, such as school or work holidays and spontaneous time off.
Meaning: period of leisure time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 放 (fong3), meaning to release or let go and 假 (gaa3), meaning holiday or leave.
Which one should you use?
While 放假 (fong3 gaa3) refers to the act of having a vacation or holiday, the specific noun for the 'vacation period' itself is 假期 (gaa3 kei4).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Cantonese, 放假 functions as a verb meaning 'to have a vacation' or 'to be on holiday', rather than just a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
fong3 gaa3
Did you know?
- When someone is on vacation and cannot be reached, they might use the term 失蹤 (disappeared) jokingly to describe their total disconnection from work.
- The character 假 used in 放假 also means 'fake' or 'false'. In a different context, a 'fake' person is called a 假人, which is also the word for a mannequin.
- In Hong Kong, people often mix Cantonese and English by saying 放假 but referring to their 'annual leave' as 'AL' in the middle of a sentence.
Examples in context
- 你放假諗住去邊度玩呀？Where are you going to go on your vacation?This sentence is useful for asking someone about their vacation plans using 放假.Tatoeba #419248 by nickyeow, translation #19827 by CK
- 唔知佢放假嗰陣可唔可以借部結他俾我呢？I wonder if he can lend me his guitar during the vacation.This sentence is useful for wondering if someone can lend an item during the vacation using 放假.Tatoeba #397098 by nickyeow, translation #295201 by CK
- 我下個月放假。ngo5 ha6 go3 jyut6 fong3 gaa3.I am on vacation next month.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking at the office.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan志強，你幾時放假呀？zi3 koeng4, nei5 gei2 si4 fong3 gaa3 aa3?Zi Keung, when is your vacation?
- 志強 Chi Keung我下星期就開始放假。ngo5 haa6 sing1 kei1 zau6 hoi1 ci2 fong3 gaa3.My vacation starts next week.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan咁正！你會去邊度玩？gam3 zeng3! nei5 wui5 heoi3 bin1 dou6 waan2?That's great! Where will you go for fun?
- 志強 Chi Keung我諗住留喺屋企休息。ngo5 nam2 zyu6 lau4 hai2 uk1 kei2 jau1 sik1.I plan to just stay home and rest.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
