lam4 bit6臨別临别
Jyutpinglam4 bit6
Yalelàhm biht
Definition
On the eve of parting; to be about to say goodbye.
writtenpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe the specific moment immediately preceding a departure. It carries a sense of gravity or sentimentality that is absent from casual goodbyes. You will most frequently encounter it in written phrases or set expressions rather than in everyday spoken conversation.
Examples
When we were about to part, he gave me a gift.
Do you have any words you want to say to everyone before you leave?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual settings like saying goodbye to a friend after lunch, as it sounds overly dramatic or poetic. For everyday situations, simply use 走或者拜拜.
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.
