gou3 teoi3告退
Jyutpinggou3 teoi3
Yalegou teui
Definition
To ask to be excused, leave a gathering, or petition for retirement.
- to ask to be excused; to take one's leave from a gathering
- literaryto petition for retirement; to resign
writtendaily actionspeople
How it's used
Carries a formal and slightly old-fashioned tone, often used when someone wants to politely excuse themselves from a social gathering or a meeting. It implies a level of respect toward the host or the person being addressed, making it sound more refined than simply saying走先. While it historically refers to resigning from a post, in modern daily life, it functions primarily as a polite way to announce one's departure.
Examples
It is getting late, I should take my leave now.
Related words
Common phrases
to take one's leave first
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual settings with close friends, as it can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. It is best reserved for formal dinners, professional environments, or when speaking to elders.
Grammar color guide
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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.
