can3趁

Jyutpingcan3

Yalechan

介詞Common

Definition

To take advantage of an opportunity; while; when.

colloquialdaily actionstime

How it's used

Focuses on seizing a specific, often fleeting, window of time or circumstance to complete an action. It carries a sense of urgency or strategic timing that is absent in more neutral temporal markers. It is frequently paired with adverbs like 快啲 to emphasize the need for immediate action.

Examples

can3趁ji4而gaa1家tin1天hei3氣hou2好，ngo5我dei6哋heoi3去haang4行saan1山laa1啦。

Let's go hiking while the weather is good now.

nei5你can3趁keoi5佢mei6未faan1返lai4嚟，faai3快di1啲zap1執hou2好di1啲je5嘢。

You should tidy things up quickly before he gets back.

Common phrases

can3趁gei1機

to take the opportunity

can3趁jit6熱

while it is hot

Common mistake

Learners often confuse it with 趁早, which specifically means to do something early to avoid future trouble. While 趁 is a general preposition for taking an opportunity, 趁早 is a fixed phrase used when advising someone to act before it is too late.