zap1 cau4執籌执筹

Jyutpingzap1 cau4

Yalejāp chàuh

Definition

To take a queue ticket or number; to enter a draw.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

Refers specifically to the act of obtaining a queue ticket or number to wait for a service, such as at a clinic or a busy restaurant. While 執 literally means to pick up or collect, it is used here to emphasize the active process of securing your spot in a queue. It is a very common term in daily life when dealing with public services or popular eateries.

Examples

nei5你ling1拎zo2咗cau2籌mei6未aa4呀？faai3快di1啲heoi3去zap1執cau4籌laa1啦。

Have you taken a number yet? Go and get in line quickly.

gam1今jat6日hou2好do1多jan4人zap1執cau4籌，paai4排deoi2隊paai4排dou3到ceot1出mun4門hau2口。

There are so many people getting a number today, the queue stretches out the door.

Common phrases

paai4排deoi2隊zap1執cau4籌

queueing up to get a number

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 執嘢, which means to pack or tidy up things. Learners often mistake the verb 執 for simply picking something up off the floor, but in this context, it is strictly about the administrative process of joining a queue.