li1 laa1哩啦
Jyutpingli1 laa1
Yalelī lā
Definition
Come; an informal or spoken term for coming or arriving.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This is a highly colloquial way to express movement toward the speaker, often used to urge someone to join a group or hurry up. It carries a friendly and informal tone, making it perfect for casual social settings. It is essentially a phonetic representation of the spoken command to come.
Examples
Come on quickly, everyone is waiting for you.
Related words
Common phrases
come on quickly
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the particle 啦, which is used to indicate a change of state or to soften a command. While 哩啦 sounds like a combination of words, it functions as a single imperative verb phrase in spoken Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
