sou3 gaai1掃街扫街
Jyutpingsou3 gaai1
Yalesou gāi
Definition
To sweep the streets
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Modern usage almost exclusively refers to the act of walking along a street while eating various snacks from different stalls. While the literal meaning of cleaning the street still exists, it is rarely the primary intent in casual conversation. It carries a strong connotation of leisure, indulgence, and exploring local food culture.
Examples
fong3 gung1 zi1 hau6 heoi3 wong6 gok3 sou3 gaai1 hou2 hoi1 sam1 aa4
放工之後去旺角掃街，好開心呀。
Going to Mong Kok to eat street food after work is so much fun.
nei5 zan6 gaan1 soeng2 m4 soeng2 heoi3 kwai4 cung1 gwong2 coeng4 sou3 gaai1
你陣間想唔想去葵涌廣場掃街？
Do you want to go to Kwai Chung Plaza to eat street food later?
Common phrases
sou3 gaai1 sik6 je5
掃街食嘢
to eat street food
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal job of a street cleaner, which is also called 掃街. Context usually makes it clear whether you are talking about eating snacks or manual labor.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- 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.
