baa4 baa2 seng1叭叭聲叭叭声
Jyutpingbaa4 baa2 seng1
Yalebàh bá sēng
Definition
Onomatopoeia for the sound of quickly flowing liquid, or figuratively, as quickly as possible.
- figurativesound of quickly flowing liquid
- quickly; in a flash; as fast as possible; chop-chop
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This onomatopoeic expression captures the sound of liquid rushing through an opening, which is why it is used figuratively to describe doing something with speed and efficiency. It carries a sense of urgency and is often used when someone is being slow or procrastinating. Using it adds a vivid, informal flavor to a command or description.
Examples
Hurry up and get it done chop chop.
The water is flowing out with a rushing sound.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the sound of a car horn, which is also written as 叭叭 in some contexts but functions differently. When used as an adverb for speed, it is almost always paired with a verb indicating completion or movement.
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.
