loi4徠徕
Jyutpingloi4
Yalelòih
Definition
To canvass for customers or to recruit.
colloquialwork
How it's used
Primarily used in the context of service industries or street-level sales where staff actively solicit passersby. It carries a slightly aggressive or persistent connotation compared to simply waiting for customers to enter a shop. While common in spoken Cantonese, it is rarely seen in formal written documents.
Examples
He is constantly canvassing for customers on the street.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 嚟, which sounds similar but means to come. Ensure you do not use 徠 when you simply mean the verb to arrive or approach.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
