maan6 seoi3萬歲万岁

Jyutpingmaan6 seoi3

Yalemaahn seui

名詞Rare

Definition

May you live for ten thousand years; a long live greeting traditionally reserved for the emperor.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

Beyond its historical use for emperors, this term is frequently used in modern social settings to mean treating others to a meal or drinks. When someone says 我萬歲, they are announcing that they are paying the bill for everyone present. This shift from a formal imperial greeting to a generous social gesture is a common way to show camaraderie.

Examples

ji5以cin4前di1啲jan4人gin3見dou2到wong4皇dai3帝jiu3要gwai6跪dai1低daai6大giu3叫maan6萬seoi3歲。

In the past, people had to kneel and shout long live the emperor.

nei5你ji5以wai4為zi6自gei2己hai6係wong4皇dai3帝jiu3要jan4人tung4同nei5你maan6萬seoi3歲aa4呀？

Do you think you are the emperor and want people to hail you?

Common phrases

maan6萬seoi3歲je4爺

His Majesty the Emperor

gam1今maan5晚ngo5我maan6萬seoi3歲

I am treating everyone tonight

Common mistake

Do not confuse the historical imperial title with the modern social usage of paying for a meal. Using it to address someone in a professional or casual setting can sound sarcastic or mocking, implying that the person is acting entitled or arrogant.