hap6 maai4合埋
Jyutpinghap6 maai4
Yalehahp màaih
Definition
To close or shut two sides together so they touch.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the physical act of bringing two sides together to seal or hide something inside. It is the standard way to describe closing eyes, books, or mouths in daily speech. Unlike the more formal 關, which is used for doors or windows, this implies a folding or joining action.
Examples
Close your eyes quickly, don't peek.
He closed the book and is getting ready to leave.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for closing doors or windows, as those require 關. Using it for a door sounds like you are physically pressing the two halves of a door together rather than just latching it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
