jyu6 maai4預埋预埋
Jyutpingjyu6 maai4
Yaleyuh màaih
Definition
To count somebody in; to include someone in a plan or activity.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This term is a classic example of Cantonese verb-complement structure where the verb 預 meaning to prepare or anticipate is combined with the aspect marker 埋 to indicate inclusion or completion. It implies that the speaker or the person mentioned was not initially part of the plan but is now being added to the group. It is almost exclusively used in social contexts like making plans for outings or meals.
Examples
You guys are going to eat, did you count him in?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin phrase 預留, which means to reserve or set aside something for someone. 預埋 is specifically about including a person in an activity, not about saving an object.
Grammar color guide
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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.
