paa1趴
Jyutpingpaa1
Yalepā
Definition
To lie prostrate; to lie face down with one's body flat against a surface.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Used primarily to describe the action of lowering one's body until the chest or stomach touches a surface. It carries a sense of being low to the ground, often for safety, hiding, or simply resting in a prone position. It is distinct from 瞓, which focuses on the act of sleeping regardless of the body's orientation.
Examples
Lie down quickly, don't let anyone see you.
The cat is lying flat on the table sleeping.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean simply lying down on one's back, as it specifically implies a face down or stomach down posture. For lying on one's back, use 瞓喺度 or 仰臥.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
