maai4 mei5埋尾
Jyutpingmaai4 mei5
Yalemàaih méih
Definition
To finish something off; to be in the final stages of completing a task.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the final stage of a task, often implying that the bulk of the work is already done. It is frequently used in professional or project-based settings where a project needs a final push to be considered complete. Unlike simply saying 做完, it carries a sense of tidying up loose ends.
Examples
There are still a few small things left to finish up on this project.
Have you finished all the documents yet? Hurry up and wrap it up.
Related words
Common phrases
finishing work
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 埋單, which is specifically used for paying a bill at a restaurant or settling a financial account.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
