m4 cit3唔切

Jyutpingm4 cit3

Yalem̀h chit

詞綴Common

Definition

Too late to do something; unable to finish an action within a certain time limit.

colloquialtimedaily actions

How it's used

This suffix acts as a potential complement indicating that the action cannot be completed within the available time frame. It is almost exclusively used with verbs that imply movement or task completion, such as 趕, 做, or 寫. It carries a sense of urgency and often implies that the speaker is frustrated by the impending deadline.

Examples

ngo5我ji4而gaa1家gon2趕m4唔cit3切daap6搭go2嗰baan1班ce1車laa3喇。

I can't make it to catch that bus now.

nei5你zung6仲mei6未sik6食jyun4完aa4呀？ngo5我dei6哋zau6就faai3快gon2趕m4唔cit3切laa1啦。

You haven't finished eating yet? We're about to run out of time.

Common phrases

gon2趕m4唔cit3切

cannot make it in time

zou6做m4唔cit3切

cannot finish the work in time

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 嚟唔切, which specifically refers to being unable to arrive or appear in time for an event. While 唔切 is a general suffix for time-based failure, 嚟唔切 is a fixed phrase used when someone is physically late for a meeting or appointment.