mai4 lou6迷路
Jyutpingmai4 lou6
Yalemàih louh
Definition
To lose one's way or get lost; to not know where one is or how to reach a destination.
colloquialtraveldaily actions
How it's used
Native speakers often use this verb to describe the feeling of being disoriented in a new area or a complex building. It is frequently paired with the particle 咗 to indicate the state of having already lost one's way. Unlike formal written Chinese, Cantonese speakers will often add 呀 or 㗎 at the end of the sentence to soften the tone when asking for directions.
Examples
I think I'm lost here.
Are you lost? Do you need help?
Related words
Common phrases
got lost
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 走失, which specifically refers to a person, usually a child or pet, going missing or getting separated from their group in a crowd.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
