zau2 jan4走人
Jyutpingzau2 jan4
Yalejáu yàhn
Definition
To leave; to depart.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Carries a slightly informal and decisive tone, often implying that the speaker is ready to depart immediately or has had enough of a current situation. It is frequently used when someone is fed up with a place or wants to signal the end of a social gathering. Unlike the neutral 離開, it sounds more like a casual announcement of one's intent to exit.
Examples
Time's up, let's get going.
What time are you finally willing to leave?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal settings like a business meeting or when addressing a superior, as it can sound abrupt or dismissive. It is strictly for casual interactions with friends or peers.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
