giu3 hei2 sau2叫起手
Jyutpinggiu3 hei2 sau2
Yalegiu héi sáu
Definition
When needed; whenever one wants to use something.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the precise moment of necessity rather than a general state of being useful. It implies that something is being kept or prepared specifically for a future event where it will become essential. The phrase carries a pragmatic tone, often used when advising someone to be organized or prepared.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 隨時, which means 'at any time'. 叫起手 specifically highlights the transition from 'not needed' to 'needed' at a specific moment.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
