醒水

sing2 seoi2

Notice the mood.
Stay one step ahead.

To be alert, sharp, and quick to react to surroundings.

Literal meaning“Awakened water”

Stay aware of what’s happening around you.

Office colleagues quietly signal to each other as a stern boss approaches in the background — The vibe A stern expression. A quiet warning. Time to move.

Hear it in context

Spotting the boss’s mood

大家醒水，一見老細面色唔妥即刻走。

daai6 gaa1 sing2 seoi2, jat1 gin3 lou5 sai3 min6 sik1 m4 to2 zik1 hak1 zau2.

“Keep your wits about you.”

Translation: Everyone stay sharp; as soon as you see the boss's expression isn't right, leave immediately.

Another English equivalent: “Be on your toes.”

The setting

A team of employees is working in the office; noticing their boss is in a terrible mood, one colleague whispers to the others to stay alert and slip away quickly to avoid being caught in a lecture.

Piece by piece

Unpack the expression

Tap ▶ to hear each phrase

大家

daai6 gaa1

Everyone / everybody

大家 (daai6 gaa1) addresses or refers to everyone in the group.

一…即刻…

jat1… zik1 hak1…

As soon as… then immediately…

一 introduces the trigger, and 即刻 means “immediately.” Together, they connect an event with an immediate response.

老細

lou5 sai3

Boss / employer

老細 (lou5 sai3) is a colloquial way to refer to a boss or employer.

面色唔妥

min6 sik1 m4 to2

Expression isn’t right

面色 (min6 sik1) means complexion or facial expression. 唔妥 (m4 to2) means something is wrong or not right; here, the boss looks angry or unhappy.

Listening speed

Audio uses your device’s Cantonese voice, when available. Jyutping numbers show tones.

醒水

Notice the mood.Stay one step ahead.