maai4 daan1埋單埋单
Jyutpingmaai4 daan1
Yalemàaih dāan
Definition
To ask for and pay the bill, especially after dining at a restaurant.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Originating from the practice of settling accounts at the end of a business cycle, this term is now almost exclusively used for paying restaurant bills. It carries a casual, pragmatic tone suitable for social settings. While it can metaphorically refer to taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions, its primary function remains the literal act of paying for a meal.
Examples
Are you done eating? Let's go pay the bill.
Related words
Common phrases
pay the bill and leave
compete to pay the bill
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal business contexts or high-end establishments where 結賬 is preferred. It is strictly colloquial and can sound overly blunt or informal if used in professional financial settings.
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.
