dang2 maai4等埋
Jyutpingdang2 maai4
Yaledáng màaih
Definition
To wait for someone to join before proceeding.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This is a compound verb where the particle 埋 adds the sense of including someone in an action. It is essential for social situations, as it implies that the person being waited for is part of the group's plan. Using it makes your request sound much more natural and less like a cold command.
Examples
Shall we wait for him before we go eat?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 唔好等, which means do not wait. Remember that 埋 is a resultative particle indicating completion or inclusion, so it cannot be used if you actually intend to leave the person behind.
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.
