laai1 zaap6拉閘拉闸
Jyutpinglaai1 zaap6
Yalelāai jaahp
Definition
To stop working; to finish a shift (originally taxi driver jargon).
colloquialworktransport
How it's used
Originating from the physical act of pulling down a metal shutter to close a shop, this term has been adopted by taxi drivers to signal the end of their shift. It carries a sense of finality and relief, often used when a driver is no longer accepting passengers. While it remains strongly associated with the taxi industry, it is now widely understood by the general public as a colloquial way to say one is finished for the day.
Examples
My shift is over, I'm ready to finish work and go home.
What time are you finishing work today?
Related words
Common phrases
finish work for the day
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.
