maai4 zaap6埋閘埋闸
Jyutpingmaai4 zaap6
Yalemàaih jaahp
Definition
To get ready at the starting gate before a horse race.
colloquialsports
How it's used
This term is specific to the context of horse racing at the Happy Valley or Sha Tin racecourses. It describes the precise moment when the horses enter the starting stalls and stand in position before the starter releases them. It is almost exclusively used by racing fans or commentators during a broadcast.
Examples
The horses are already at the gate, ready to start.
Related words
Common phrases
preparing to enter the starting gate
all horses have finished entering the gates
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.
