ziu1 hang4 maan5 caak3朝行晚拆
Jyutpingziu1 hang4 maan5 caak3
Yalejīu hàhng máahn chaak
Definition
To set up a bed or stall temporarily and pack it away daily.
colloquialhomedaily actions
How it's used
Originally referring to the practice of setting up and dismantling temporary structures or bedding in cramped living spaces, this phrase now frequently describes any situation involving repetitive, temporary setups. It carries a strong connotation of living in tight quarters or dealing with inefficient, makeshift arrangements. People often use it to lament the lack of permanent space or the exhaustion of constant daily maintenance.
Examples
Living in a subdivided flat back then really meant having to pack up the bed every morning.
Related words
Common phrases
living a life of constant packing and unpacking
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simple daily chores like cleaning or tidying up. It specifically refers to the physical act of setting up and putting away furniture or bedding that occupies the same floor space.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
