bat1 kei4 ji4 jyu6不期而遇
Jyutpingbat1 kei4 ji4 jyu6
Yalebāt kèih yìh yuh
Definition
To meet by chance; to run into someone unexpectedly.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Despite its formal, four-character structure, this phrase is frequently used in casual conversation to describe a pleasant or surprising encounter. It carries a slightly more literary or poetic nuance than the common colloquial expression 撞到. Using it adds a touch of sophistication to your speech when describing a coincidental meeting.
Examples
We met by chance on the street, it's really fate.
How did you happen to run into him here?
Related words
Common phrases
a chance encounter on the street
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard verb that can be used in any context, but it specifically implies a sense of serendipity or surprise. It is not appropriate for planned meetings or routine encounters where you expect to see someone.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
