waa6 si6話是话是
Jyutpingwaa6 si6
Yalewah sih
Definition
To take charge, be in control, or have the final say.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Commonly used to describe who holds the actual power or decision making authority in a situation, regardless of formal titles. It often appears in the structure 邊個話事 to challenge or clarify leadership. The term is highly versatile and applies equally to corporate settings, family dynamics, or casual group plans.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin phrase 說話, which means to speak. In Cantonese, 話事 is a compound verb meaning to decide or command, and it never refers to the act of talking.
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.
