hei2 ng5 gaang1起五更
Jyutpinghei2 ng5 gaang1
Yalehéi ńgh gāang
Definition
To get up in the early hours of the morning just before dawn.
colloquialtimedaily actions
How it's used
This phrase refers specifically to the time just before sunrise, historically associated with the fifth watch of the night. It carries a sense of hardship or diligence, often implying that the person is waking up while it is still dark outside. It is more descriptive and idiomatic than simply saying early.
Examples
He always has to get up at the crack of dawn for work.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
