si6 bat1 ji4 ci4事不宜遲事不宜迟
Jyutpingsi6 bat1 ji4 ci4
Yalesih bāt yìh chìh
Definition
No time to lose; there should be no further delay.
neutraldaily actionstime
How it's used
Carries a formal and urgent tone, often used to signal that immediate action is required to avoid negative consequences. While it originates from written Chinese, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese when someone wants to sound decisive or authoritative. It functions as a standalone clause or a lead-in to a suggestion.
Examples
We should not delay, let's set off right now.
It shouldn't be delayed, why don't you go get it done right now?
Related words
Common phrases
No time to lose, take action immediately
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, low-stakes situations, as it can sound overly dramatic or like you are mimicking a period drama. It is best reserved for professional settings or when making a firm decision.
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.
