ngau5 jyu6偶遇
Jyutpingngau5 jyu6
Yalengáuh yuh
Definition
To bump into someone; to meet by chance.
neutralpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Although this term exists in Cantonese, it carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the everyday expression 撞到. It is often used in writing or when describing a serendipitous, almost poetic encounter rather than a simple accident. In casual speech, most people prefer using 撞到 or 撞見 to describe running into someone.
Examples
I bumped into an old classmate on the street.
Did you run into him on the MTR?
Related words
Common phrases
It is better to run into someone by chance than to have a formal invitation.
Common mistake
Learners often use this in casual settings where it sounds overly formal or stiff. Stick to 撞到 for everyday situations to avoid sounding like you are reading from a book.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
