gaai3 mun5屆滿届满
Jyutpinggaai3 mun5
Yalegaai múhn
Definition
To expire; to reach the end of a specified term or time limit.
neutralworktime
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or administrative contexts, such as discussing contracts, memberships, or official appointments. While it is perfectly understood in speech, it carries a slightly professional or serious tone compared to everyday phrasing like 到期. It is rarely used for perishable goods like food, where 到期 is the standard choice.
Examples
His contract expires next month.
Do you know when the membership expires?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 到期, which is much more versatile and can be used for everything from library books to milk. Using 屆滿 for a carton of milk would sound comically formal and out of place.
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.
