gou3 gap1告急
Jyutpinggou3 gap1
Yalegou gāp
Definition
To be in a state of emergency and call for immediate help.
colloquialworkhealth
How it's used
Originally a military term signaling that a front line was about to collapse, it has evolved into a common way to describe any situation reaching a critical shortage. It is frequently used in news reports regarding public resources like blood supplies or hospital beds. When used in casual conversation, it carries a sense of urgency that implies a need for immediate intervention or support.
Examples
The front line is short-staffed and in an emergency, we need to find people to help immediately.
Do you know that the hospital blood bank is in an emergency state right now?
Related words
Common phrases
blood bank emergency
staffing shortage emergency
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 緊張, which describes a state of nervousness or a tense atmosphere. 告急 specifically denotes a critical shortage or a desperate need for resources, not just a feeling of pressure.
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.
