mai5 zyu6咪住
Jyutpingmai5 zyu6
Yalemáih jyuh
Definition
Hold on; wait a minute; a plea for another party to pause what they are doing.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Functioning as a versatile imperative, this phrase is used to interrupt someone or request a brief delay in their actions. It is often paired with 先 to soften the tone, making the request sound less like a sharp command and more like a polite pause. You will frequently hear it used when someone suddenly remembers something or needs to clarify a point during a conversation.
Examples
Wait a second, what did you just say?
Related words
Common phrases
Hold on a moment
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings or with superiors, as it can sound quite blunt or demanding depending on your tone of voice. It is strictly for casual interactions with friends, family, or peers.
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.
