m4 hai2 cyu2唔喺處唔喺处
Jyutpingm4 hai2 cyu2
Yalem̀h hái chyú
Definition
Not present or not here; also used as a euphemism for having passed away.
- not present; not here; not around
- figurativeto have passed away; to no longer be with us
colloquialpeopleplaces
How it's used
This phrase specifically implies that someone is missing from a location where they are expected to be. It carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone than just saying 唔喺度. When used as a euphemism for death, it functions similarly to the English expression "he is no longer with us," softening the reality of the situation.
Examples
He wasn't here earlier, what did you need him for?
I looked for a long time and he isn't here, maybe he went to the restroom.
Related words
Common phrases
cannot find the person because they are not here
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 唔喺處 with 唔喺度. While they are interchangeable in most casual contexts, 唔喺處 can sound slightly more deliberate or descriptive of the person's absence from their usual station.
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.
