gau2 go3 zi6九個字九个字

Jyutpinggau2 go3 zi6

Yalegáu go jih

Definition

Forty-five minutes.

colloquialtime

How it's used

Refers specifically to forty-five minutes past the hour, as each number on a clock face represents five minutes. This is a common way to tell time in casual conversation, where one number equals five minutes. It is essential to understand that this does not mean nine words or characters in this context.

Examples

ji1依gaa1家gau2九go3個zi6字laa3喇，faai3快di1啲zau2走laa1啦。

It is nine forty-five now, let's go quickly.

nei5你joek3約zo2咗jan4人gau2九go3個zi6字gin3見min6面aa4呀？

Did you arrange to meet someone at nine forty-five?

Common phrases

gau2九go3個zi6字

nine forty-five

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal count of nine words or characters. It is strictly a time-telling convention and will sound confusing if used in any other context.