hoi1 zaai1開齋开斋
Jyutpinghoi1 zaai1
Yalehōi jāai
Definition
To break a religious fast; or to achieve a first breakthrough or success after a long dry spell.
- to break a religious fast or end a vegetarian diet
- figurativeto make a breakthrough or achieve a first success after a period of nothing
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal religious context, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone finally achieving a long-awaited goal or ending a dry spell. It is common to hear it used in sports or gambling when a player or team scores their first point or win after a long period of failure. The tone is often lighthearted or celebratory when applied to these non-religious situations.
Examples
He has been fasting for months, and today he finally broke his fast.
Related words
Common phrases
Eid al-Fitr
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply eating a meal. It specifically implies the end of a period of abstinence or a significant period of inactivity, so using it for a regular daily meal is incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
