zaai1 gaai3齋戒斋戒
Jyutpingzaai1 gaai3
Yalejāai gaai
Definition
To fast, practice abstinence, or observe religious dietary and behavioral restrictions.
neutralfoodother
How it's used
Refers specifically to religious or spiritual abstinence rather than dieting for weight loss. While it implies avoiding certain foods, it often includes broader behavioral restrictions like abstaining from alcohol or sexual activity. It carries a formal or solemn tone compared to simply saying 唔食嘢.
Examples
He is fasting lately and cannot go out for drinks.
Do you know when Muslims have to fast?
Related words
Common phrases
observe a fast
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe skipping a meal for health or weight loss reasons, as that is better expressed as 節食 or 減肥.
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.
