dang2 wai2等位
Jyutpingdang2 wai2
Yaledáng wái
Definition
To queue or wait for a table or seat at a restaurant.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
This term is essential for navigating the busy dining scene in Hong Kong, where popular restaurants often have queues. It functions as a verb phrase rather than a noun, so you should use it with aspect markers like 緊 to indicate the ongoing process of waiting. It is common to hear staff ask how many people are in your party immediately after you express that you are waiting for a seat.
Examples
We are waiting for a seat at the entrance.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 留位, which means to reserve a seat in advance. If you say you are waiting for a seat, you are physically present at the restaurant, whereas reserving implies you have already made a booking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
