gai1 gam2 goek3雞噉腳鸡啖脚
Jyutpinggai1 gam2 goek3
Yalegāi gám geuk
Definition
To walk very quickly, rush off, or flee in a hurry out of fear.
colloquialdaily actionsanimals
How it's used
This expression vividly describes someone moving with the frantic, erratic pace of a chicken trying to escape danger. It is almost exclusively used to describe a hasty departure or a panicked retreat rather than just walking fast for exercise or efficiency. The imagery implies a sense of being startled or desperate to avoid an awkward situation.
Examples
He rushed off in a hurry as soon as he saw the client coming.
Why are you in such a rush to get to work today?
Related words
Common phrases
to rush off
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply walking fast because they are athletic or late for an appointment. It specifically carries the nuance of being flustered or wanting to avoid someone or something.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
