dang2 dou3 geng2 dou1 coeng4等到頸都長等到颈都长
Jyutpingdang2 dou3 geng2 dou1 coeng4
Yaledáng dou géng dōu chèuhng
Definition
To wait for a very long time with great anticipation.
colloquialdaily actionsslang
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the feeling of impatience by imagining one's neck physically stretching while craning to look for someone or something that is late. It is a classic example of Cantonese hyperbole used to emphasize that a wait has been unreasonably long. It is most commonly used when complaining about a person who is late or a service that is taking too much time.
Examples
I waited until my neck grew long and still didn't see them show up.
Common phrases
waited until the neck grew long (emphatic)
Common mistake
Do not use this for short waits of a few minutes, as it implies a significant or frustrating amount of time has passed. It is strictly for situations where you are genuinely annoyed by the delay.
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.
