daap3 co3 ce1搭錯車搭错车
Jyutpingdaap3 co3 ce1
Yaledaap cho chē
Definition
To board the wrong vehicle or take the wrong train or bus; also used figuratively to make a wrong choice in life.
- to board the wrong train, bus, or other vehicle
- figurativeto make a wrong decision, choose the wrong side, or follow the wrong person
colloquialtransport
How it's used
This phrase is used for any form of public transport including buses, trains, or trams. It carries a sense of accidental mistake rather than a deliberate choice. It is common to hear it used metaphorically in casual conversation to describe someone who has misunderstood a situation or followed the wrong path in life.
Examples
I boarded the wrong bus and ended up at the wrong station.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 搭錯線, which is a common idiom meaning to misunderstand someone or to be on a different wavelength during a conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
