01
五點喇
ng5 dim2 laa3
It’s five o’clock
喇 (laa3) draws attention to the current situation: it is now five o’clock.
A natural way to point out that the time has arrived.
STREET CANTONESE / 04
The everyday expressionCasual · Work & friends
At the end of the day
散水
saan2 seoi2
Time to wrap up.
Time to head out.
To dismiss, leave a gathering, or resign from a job.
Literal meaning“To scatter water”
In this example, everyone is ready to leave for the day.
五點喇，夠鐘散水啦！ng5 dim2 laa3, gau3 zung1 saan2 seoi2 laa1!It's five o'clock; it's time to pack up and leave!✦Hear it in context
Calling it a day
五點喇，夠鐘散水啦！
ng5 dim2 laa3, gau3 zung1 saan2 seoi2 laa1!
“Time to head out.”
Translation: It's five o'clock; it's time to pack up and leave!
Another English equivalent: “Let’s wrap it up.”
The setting
A group of coworkers are finishing their tasks at the end of the day. Or friends are deciding to head home after hanging out at a café.
Piece by piece
Unpack the expression
02
夠鐘
gau3 zung1
Time’s up / It’s time to…
Used when it is time to do something, or when the allotted time is up.
Here, it is time to pack up and leave.