de4 de4 dai3嗲嗲渧
Jyutpingde4 de4 dai3
Yaledèh dèh dai
Definition
To drip or flow downwards continuously, used especially of liquids like saliva or sweat.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This term is highly descriptive and mimics the sound or visual rhythm of liquid leaking or dripping in a thin, persistent stream. It is most commonly used for bodily fluids like saliva or nasal discharge, or for small, annoying leaks from household objects. The reduplication adds a sense of continuous, slightly messy movement that a simple verb like 流 fails to capture.
Examples
His tap is broken, water is dripping continuously.
Related words
Common phrases
saliva dripping continuously
snot dripping continuously
Common mistake
Avoid using this for heavy flows like a waterfall or a burst pipe, as it specifically implies a thin, trickling, or dripping stream. It is strictly for liquids and cannot be used for solid objects or abstract concepts.
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.
