zaa3 dou3乍到
Jyutpingzaa3 dou3
Yaleja dou
Definition
Newly arrived; just arrived.
colloquialpeopleplaces
How it's used
This expression is almost exclusively used in the four character idiom form 初嚟乍到. It carries a humble tone, often used by someone who has recently joined a new workplace or moved to a new neighborhood to signal their lack of familiarity with local customs or rules.
Examples
I have just arrived, please bear with me and offer your guidance.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a standalone verb phrase, but it functions more like an adverbial phrase describing a state of being new to a place. It is not used to describe the physical act of arriving at a destination like a train station or a house.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
