dang2 hau6等候
Jyutpingdang2 hau6
Yaledáng hauh
Definition
To wait or await; to stay in a place or remain inactive until a specific event occurs.
writtendaily actionsother
How it's used
Carries a formal tone that is rarely used in casual daily conversation, where the monosyllabic 等 is preferred. It is mostly encountered in written notices, official announcements, or formal contexts like legal proceedings or medical appointments. Using it in a relaxed setting with friends can sound overly stiff or pretentious.
Examples
I am waiting for you at the door.
How much longer are you going to wait before you are willing to leave?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in casual speech because it sounds more 'proper', but it actually creates a jarring contrast with the informal particles like 呀 or 㗎 that are essential to natural Cantonese.
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.
