dai6 jat1 si4 gaan3第一時間第一时间

Jyutpingdai6 jat1 si4 gaan3

Yaledaih yāt sìh gaan

副詞

Definition

Immediately; at the very first moment; right away.

colloquialtimedaily actions

How it's used

Emphasizes the priority of an action, implying that it is the very first thing one does in a sequence of events. It carries a sense of urgency or high importance, often used to describe reactions to news or sudden situations. Unlike simple adverbs for time, it highlights the subject's initiative to act without delay.

Examples

jau5有me1咩si6事，gei3記dak1得dai6第jat1一si4時gaan3間waa6話ngo5我zi1知aa4呀。

If anything happens, remember to let me know immediately.

keoi5佢jat1一sau1收gung1工zau6就dai6第jat1一si4時gaan3間faan1返uk1屋kei2企pui4陪uk1屋kei2企jan4人。

He goes home to be with his family the moment he finishes work.

Common phrases

dai6第jat1一si4時gaan3間tung1通zi1知

notify immediately

dai6第jat1一si4時gaan3間gon2趕dou3到

rush over immediately

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe static states or long-term conditions, as it specifically refers to the first action taken in a sequence. It is not a direct substitute for general adverbs like 立即 or 即刻 in every context, especially when urgency is not the focus.