hoi1 lai2開嚟开嚟

Jyutpinghoi1 lai2

Yalehōi lái

Definition

To open or show something.

colloquialdaily actionscommunication

How it's used

This construction combines the verb 開 with the directional particle 嚟 to indicate an action performed towards the speaker or for the purpose of revealing something. It is frequently used when someone is asked to display, uncover, or produce an object that was previously hidden or closed. The focus is on the transition from a state of being concealed to being visible or accessible.

Related words

synonymdaa2 hoi1打開dá hōi

Common phrases

hoi1開lai4嚟tai2睇

open to look at

hoi1開lai4嚟gong2講

open up to talk about

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 開出嚟, which specifically emphasizes the result of the action of opening something out. While 開嚟 can be used for abstract concepts like opening up about feelings, 開出嚟 is almost exclusively reserved for physical objects being unfolded or revealed.