pei1 gaap3披甲
Jyutpingpei1 gaap3
Yalepēi gaap
Definition
To don armour; primarily used figuratively to refer to soldiers preparing for battle.
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How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in a metaphorical sense in modern Cantonese to describe someone getting ready for a challenging task or a high stakes situation. It carries a dramatic, heroic tone that elevates a mundane preparation into something more significant. It is rarely used literally outside of historical dramas or period literature.
Examples
They have already donned their armour and are ready to set off.
Are you ready to suit up and head into battle?
Related words
Common phrases
to don armour and go to battle
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe putting on everyday clothing or protective gear like a raincoat or safety vest, as it specifically evokes the imagery of ancient military equipment.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
