zai6 lau4滯留滞留
Jyutpingzai6 lau4
Yalejaih làuh
Definition
To be held up or stranded; to be temporarily unable to leave a place.
neutraltransportplaces
How it's used
Focuses on the inability to move forward or leave due to external circumstances like bad weather or bureaucratic issues. It carries a sense of being stuck or stranded against one's will, rather than simply choosing to stay behind.
Examples
The typhoon caused all the flights to be held up at the airport.
Why are you still lingering there?
Related words
Common phrases
stranded at the airport
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a casual stay or a vacation, as it implies a forced or involuntary delay. It is not interchangeable with 留低, which is neutral and can imply a voluntary choice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
