soeng5 lou6上路
Jyutpingsoeng5 lou6
Yaleséuhng louh
Definition
To start off on a journey, or figuratively to pass away.
- to set out; to start a journey
- figurativeto die; to pass away; to go to the afterlife
colloquialtraveldaily actions
How it's used
While often used for a physical journey, this term carries a slightly dramatic or serious undertone compared to simple words like 出發. It is frequently employed in contexts where the journey is long, arduous, or marks the beginning of a significant life chapter. In more morbid contexts, it serves as a euphemism for dying, similar to the English phrase "departing this life."
Examples
We have to set off before dawn.
Are you ready? When are we setting off?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a casual trip to the grocery store or a short commute, as it sounds overly epic or literary for mundane errands.
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.
