coeng2 zaap6搶閘抢闸
Jyutpingcoeng2 zaap6
Yalechéung jaahp
Definition
To rush to do something first; to act prematurely or faster than expected.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Originating from horse racing, this term describes a horse that breaks through the starting gate before the official signal. It carries a nuance of being overly eager or jumping the gun, often implying that the person is acting faster than social norms or expectations dictate. It is frequently used in contexts where someone beats others to a goal that they were not necessarily expected to reach first.
Examples
He always rushes to be the first in line to buy tickets.
Why are you so impatient to be the first to answer the question?
Related words
Common phrases
to stand out by acting prematurely
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical movement like running fast or sprinting. It is specifically about the timing of an action, focusing on the act of starting or finishing before others.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
