co1蹉
Jyutpingco1
Yalechō
Definition
To miss an opportunity, to slip, or to make a mistake.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Primarily used in the context of missing an opportunity or failing to grasp a moment, often carrying a sense of regret. It is distinct from losing something physical, focusing instead on the abstract failure to act at the right time. While it appears in formal writing, it is frequently heard in spoken Cantonese when discussing missed chances or errors in judgment.
Examples
I really missed the opportunity this time, it is such a pity.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 錯, which means to be wrong or incorrect. While 錯 refers to an error in fact or action, 蹉 specifically relates to the passage of time or the failure to seize an opportunity.
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.
