saam1 bou6 laa3 maai4 loeng5 bou6三步揦埋兩步三步揦埋两步
Jyutpingsaam1 bou6 laa3 maai4 loeng5 bou6
Yalesāam bouh la màaih léuhng bouh
Definition
To walk with long strides, hurrying or rushing forward.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes a person who is in such a hurry that they attempt to cover ground as quickly as possible by taking oversized, rushed steps. It is almost exclusively used to describe someone who is physically rushing or running late, rather than someone who simply has a naturally long gait. The imagery implies a slightly chaotic or frantic pace.
Examples
He walks very hurriedly, always taking long, quick strides.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply walking fast, as it specifically emphasizes the physical action of taking large, hurried strides to cover distance quickly. It is not used to describe someone who is calm or composed while walking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
