aa3 sai3亞細亚细
Jyutpingaa3 sai3
Yalea sai
Definition
To call or shout out; to hail someone.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Derived from the English word "call," this term is primarily used in casual, spoken Cantonese to refer to making a phone call. It is particularly common among older generations or in specific local business contexts, though it is increasingly being replaced by the more standard 打電話. Using it adds a distinct, slightly retro, or "Hong Kong-style" flavor to your speech.
Examples
Did he call you earlier?
Related words
Common phrases
make a phone call
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the proper noun 亞洲, which refers to Asia. Because it is a loanword, it is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in formal writing or professional emails.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
