daap3 dik1 si2搭的士
Jyutpingdaap3 dik1 si2
Yaledaap dīk sí
Definition
To take a taxi.
colloquialtransport
How it's used
The term is the standard way to refer to using a taxi in Hong Kong. While the word 的士 is a direct loan from English, it is fully integrated into the local lexicon and preferred over more formal or Mandarin alternatives. It functions as a verb phrase, so it can be modified by aspect markers like 咗 or緊.
Examples
Let's take a taxi to Tsim Sha Tsui now.
Are you taking a taxi because you are in a rush?
Related words
Common phrases
take a taxi to go to
in a rush to take a taxi
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 坐 instead of 搭. While 坐的士 is understandable, 搭 is the more natural and common choice for public transport in Cantonese.
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.
