gan2 cau3緊湊紧凑

Jyutpinggan2 cau3

Yalegán chau

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

Compact, tight, and well-knit with no gaps; especially of a plot, schedule, or arrangement.

colloquialdescriptionstime

How it's used

Focuses on the lack of wasted space or time, making it ideal for describing narrative pacing or busy schedules. Unlike the Mandarin usage which often implies physical density, Cantonese speakers frequently apply it to time management and personal agendas. It carries a slightly formal or professional tone despite being used in daily conversation.

Examples

le1呢tou3套hei3戲zit3節zau3奏hou2好gan2緊cau3湊，jau4由tau4頭dou3到mei5尾dou1都mou5冇mun6悶coeng4場。

The pace of this movie is very tight; there are no dull moments from start to finish.

nei5你le1呢gei2幾jat6日hang4行cing4程gam3咁gan2緊cau3湊，wui2會m4唔wui2會hou2好攰aa1呀？

Your schedule is so packed these past few days, won't you be very tired?

Common phrases

cing4情zit3節gan2緊cau3湊

tight plot

hang4行cing4程gan2緊cau3湊

packed schedule

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe physical objects that are crowded together, such as people in a room or items on a shelf, as 迫 or 擠 is more appropriate for physical density.