gaa1 maai4加埋
Jyutpinggaa1 maai4
Yalegā màaih
Definition
To add something on top of another; to add up or combine everything.
- to add one thing on top of another
- to add up; to combine; to put everything together
colloquialdaily actionsnumbers
How it's used
Functions as a versatile way to express the sum of multiple parts, often used when tallying items or considering various factors. It carries a slightly more informal and conversational tone compared to the more formal calculation term 總共. It is frequently placed after a list of items to indicate that they are being combined into a single total.
Examples
Adding all this money together isn't even enough to buy a lunch box.
Have you calculated it clearly yet? How much is it in total?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 加埋 to mean 'to add' in a mathematical sense, but it is primarily used for summing up a collection or total. For simple addition of two numbers, use 加 instead.
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.
