lou5 zou2老早
Jyutpinglou5 zou2
Yalelóuh jóu
Definition
Since a long time ago; way back; early on.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Emphasizes that a situation or state has been true for a significant duration, often implying that the speaker is frustrated that others are only just realizing it now. It carries a slightly impatient or assertive tone, suggesting that the information should have been obvious or expected. Use it to highlight a sense of prior knowledge or long-standing preparation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
knew it a long time ago
prepared a long time ago
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe a specific point in the past like yesterday or last week, as it refers to a vague, extended duration rather than a precise time marker.
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.
