tai2 zyu6睇住
Jyutpingtai2 zyu6
Yaletái jyuh
Definition
To watch over or keep an eye on; also used to warn someone to watch out or be careful.
- to watch over; to keep an eye on; to look after
- to watch out; to be careful
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This phrase is incredibly versatile, functioning both as a literal instruction to monitor something and as a warning to be careful. When used as a warning, it often implies that the listener should pay attention to their surroundings to avoid a mishap. It is frequently used in imperative sentences to ensure safety or to delegate the responsibility of guarding an object.
Examples
Can you watch the stove for me? I'm going to the restroom.
Watch out for cars when you cross the road!
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 睇住 with 望住. While 望住 simply means to look at something, 睇住 carries the additional nuance of responsibility, care, or caution.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
