gaau3 zung1校鐘校钟

Jyutpinggaau3 zung1

Yalegaau jūng

Definition

To set a clock or watch to the correct time.

colloquialdaily actionstime

How it's used

Refers specifically to setting an alarm on a phone or clock, rather than adjusting the time on a timepiece. It is the standard way to tell someone to make sure they wake up on time. While technically referring to a bell, it is used universally for digital alarms.

Examples

ting1聽ziu1朝cat1七dim2點jiu3要hei2起san1身，gei3記dak1得gaau3校zung1鐘aa4呀。

I need to wake up at seven tomorrow morning, remember to set the alarm.

nei5你haau6校zo2咗zung1鐘mei6未aa4呀？geng1驚nei5你ting1聽ziu1朝ci4遲dou3到。

Have you set your alarm yet? I am worried you will be late tomorrow.

Common phrases

haau6校ding6定go3個zung1鐘

to have the alarm set

haau6校ci4遲zo2咗

to set the alarm too late

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 調校, which is used for adjusting settings or calibrating equipment. Using 調校 for an alarm sounds overly formal and mechanical.