maai4 san1埋身
Jyutpingmaai4 san1
Yalemàaih sān
Definition
To approach or get close to someone.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Often used in contexts involving physical proximity or personal space, this term carries a sense of intent or caution. It is frequently employed when describing someone trying to get close enough to initiate a conversation or, conversely, when warning someone to keep a safe distance from a suspicious or dangerous individual.
Examples
It looks like he wants to get close and talk to you.
This person is so dangerous, you must not get close to them.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 埋單, which means to pay the bill. While both start with 埋, 埋身 is strictly about spatial proximity to a person, whereas 埋單 is exclusively for settling financial accounts.
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.
