caa3 hoi1岔開岔开

Jyutpingcaa3 hoi1

Yalecha hōi

動詞Rare

Definition

To branch out, or to change and divert from the original conversation topic.

to branch out
figurativeto change the subject; to divert from the original conversation topic

colloquialcommunicationdaily actions

How it's used

Primarily used in the context of conversation, this term specifically describes the act of steering a discussion away from its original focus. It carries a slightly critical tone, often implying that the speaker is intentionally avoiding a sensitive or difficult topic. When used for physical paths or roads, it is more common to use 分岔.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好seng4成jat6日caa3岔hoi1開waa6話tai4題laa1啦。

Stop changing the subject all the time.

keoi5佢gong2講gong2講haa5下je5嘢dat6突jin4然caa3岔hoi1開zo2咗heoi3去gong2講dai6第ji6二joeng6樣。

While talking, he suddenly digressed to talk about something else.

Common phrases

caa3岔hoi1開waa6話tai4題

to change the subject

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 轉移, which is a more formal or neutral way to say transfer or shift. 岔開 specifically carries the nuance of a sudden or unwanted deviation from the main path of conversation.