lau4 sai6流逝
Jyutpinglau4 sai6
Yalelàuh saih
Definition
To pass or elapse (of time).
writtentime
How it's used
Reserved primarily for formal or literary contexts, this term is rarely used in casual daily speech. Most speakers prefer to use simple phrases like 時間過得好快 to describe the passage of time. It carries a poetic or philosophical weight that makes it sound out of place when discussing mundane schedules or appointments.
Examples
Time passes by so quickly.
Have you felt the passing of time yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in everyday conversation to talk about being late or missing a train, but it is strictly for the abstract concept of time slipping away, not for physical movement or deadlines.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
