maai4 wai2埋位

Jyutpingmaai4 wai2

Yalemàaih wái

動詞Common

Definition

To get into position, take one's place, or get ready to start.

colloquialworkdaily actions

How it's used

Originating from film and television production, this term carries a sense of professional urgency and coordination. It implies that everyone has a specific role or station to occupy before an action can commence. Beyond the studio, it is frequently used in casual settings to tell friends to sit down at a dining table or get ready to start a game.

Examples

dou6導jin2演giu3叫daai6大gaa1家maai4埋wai2位，zeon2準bei6備paak3拍haa5下jat1一coeng4場hei3戲。

The director told everyone to get into position, ready to shoot the next scene.

nei5你dei6哋cyun4全bou6部maai4埋wai2位mei6未aa4呀？jiu3要hoi1開ci2始luk6錄jing2影laa3喇。

Have you all taken your places yet? We need to start recording.

Common phrases

zeon2準bei6備maai4埋wai2位

get ready to take one's place

cyun4全bou6部maai4埋wai2位

everyone in position

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 埋單, which means to settle a bill. While both share the character 埋, they belong to completely different contexts of social interaction.