soeng1 cing2 bat1 jyu4 ngau5 jyu6相請不如偶遇相请不如偶遇
Jyutpingsoeng1 cing2 bat1 jyu4 ngau5 jyu6
Yalesēung chíng bāt yùh ngáuh yuh
Definition
To let things happen naturally rather than making deliberate arrangements; serendipity.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This phrase captures the cultural preference for spontaneity over rigid planning in social interactions. It is often invoked to downplay the awkwardness of a chance meeting or to suggest that a casual, unplanned gathering is more enjoyable than a formal invitation. It reflects a relaxed attitude toward life where unexpected events are seen as more authentic than arranged ones.
Examples
I bumped into an old classmate on the street today; what a serendipitous encounter.
You want to schedule a meal? Let's just go with the flow, serendipity is better than forced plans.
Related words
Common phrases
truly a serendipitous encounter
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
