tau4 toi1投胎
Jyutpingtau4 toi1
Yaletàuh tōi
Definition
To be reincarnated or reborn, or figuratively to die.
- to be reincarnated; to be reborn
- figurativeto die
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Beyond the literal Buddhist concept of reincarnation, this term is frequently used in a sarcastic, aggressive manner to criticize someone who is moving or acting with reckless, dangerous haste. Using it in this way implies that the person is so impatient that they are effectively inviting death. It is a common, sharp-tongued way to tell someone to slow down.
Examples
Why are you in such a rush, are you rushing to be reincarnated?
He said he wants to be reincarnated as a cat in his next life, just sleeping all day.
Related words
Common phrases
rushing to be reincarnated (idiomatic for being dangerously impatient)
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe the biological process of pregnancy or birth, as it strictly refers to the spiritual transition of a soul into a new body. Using it to mean simply being born will sound bizarre and confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
