dak1 haan4 jam2 caa4得閒飲茶得闲饮茶
Jyutpingdak1 haan4 jam2 caa4
Yaledāk hàahn yám chàh
Definition
Let's grab dim sum when we are free; a polite parting phrase usually not meant to be taken literally.
colloquialcommunicationdim sum
How it's used
Functioning primarily as a polite social lubricant, this phrase is the Cantonese equivalent of "let's do lunch sometime" in English. It is almost never a genuine invitation to a specific tea appointment, but rather a way to soften the end of a conversation or a chance encounter. If someone actually wants to invite you to dim sum, they will usually specify a time, a place, or ask for your availability directly.
Examples
Alright, let's catch up sometime!
When are you free to grab tea?
Related words
Common phrases
let's meet up when free
Common mistake
Learners often make the mistake of checking their calendars or suggesting specific dates immediately after hearing this, which can cause confusion. Treat it as a polite farewell gesture rather than a literal request for scheduling.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
