gaai2 fung1解封
Jyutpinggaai2 fung1
Yalegáai fūng
Definition
To lift restrictions, blockades, or lockdowns.
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Originally a technical term for lifting a blockade or quarantine, this word gained massive popularity during the pandemic. It now carries a sense of relief and returning to normalcy. It is frequently used in casual conversation to describe the reopening of public spaces or the end of social distancing rules.
Examples
Restrictions are finally lifted tomorrow, we can go out to eat.
Do you know when the restrictions will be lifted?
Related words
Common phrases
officially lift restrictions
announce the lifting of restrictions
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean unlocking a physical door or a digital account, as those contexts usually require the verb 開.
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.
