gap1急
Jyutpinggap1
Yalegāp
Definition
Urgent, pressing, or in a hurry; needing immediate attention or resolution.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of urgent, this word is frequently used to describe the physical sensation of needing to use the restroom. It carries a sense of impatience or pressure that can be applied to both situations and personal states of mind. When someone is described as 好急, it often implies they are flustered or unable to wait for a natural conclusion.
Examples
I am in a rush right now, I need to go to the toilet immediately.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean fast or quick in terms of speed, as that is usually expressed with 快. Using it to describe a person who is moving quickly can sound like you are calling them impatient or desperate rather than just speedy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
