gai1 gam2 goek3雞咁腳鸡咁脚
Jyutpinggai1 gam2 goek3
Yalegāi gám geuk
Definition
To walk or run away in a great hurry; to flee hastily.
colloquialdaily actionsanimals
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes a person moving with quick, short steps, reminiscent of a chicken scurrying away. It is used exclusively to describe the act of leaving or moving in a panicked, flustered, or hurried manner. It carries a slightly humorous or informal tone, often implying that the person is trying to avoid someone or is late for an appointment.
Examples
Seeing the boss walk by, he hurried away immediately.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone walking fast for exercise or with purpose, as it specifically implies a sense of urgency, panic, or avoidance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
