soeng5 lai2上嚟
Jyutpingsoeng5 lai2
Yaleséuhng lái
Definition
To come up or come over.
colloquialdaily actionstransport
How it's used
This directional verb is highly versatile, describing movement towards the speaker that involves ascending or arriving at a destination. It is frequently used to invite someone to one's home or office, implying a sense of welcoming. Beyond physical movement, it can also suggest the act of boarding a vehicle or simply appearing at a location.
Examples
Hurry up and get on, the vehicle is about to leave.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 嚟, which just means to come. Remember that 上嚟 specifically adds the directional component of moving upwards or arriving at a specific destination, making it more precise than the general verb.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
