01
你入去
nei5 jap6 heoi3
You go in
你 (nei5) means “you,” and 入去 (jap6 heoi3) means “to enter” or “go in.”
STREET CANTONESE / 07
The everyday expressionCasual · Friends & mischief
By the classroom door
睇水
tai2 seoi2
You go in.
I’ll keep watch.
To act as a lookout.
Literal meaning“To watch the water”
Keeping an eye out for anyone approaching.
你入去，我喺門口幫你睇水。nei5 jap6 heoi3, ngo5 hai2 mun4 hau2 bong1 nei5 tai2 seoi2.You go in; I'll help you keep a lookout at the door.✦Hear it in context
Keeping watch for a friend
你入去，我喺門口幫你睇水。
nei5 jap6 heoi3, ngo5 hai2 mun4 hau2 bong1 nei5 tai2 seoi2.
“To keep watch.”
Translation: You go in; I'll help you keep a lookout at the door.
Another English equivalent: “To be the lookout.”
The setting
Two friends are about to play a prank in a classroom; one goes inside while the other stays by the door to watch for teachers or anyone approaching.
Piece by piece
Unpack the expression
02
我喺門口
ngo5 hai2 mun4 hau2
I am at the door
我 (ngo5) is the first-person pronoun (I/me), 喺 (hai2) means “at” or “in,” and 門口 (mun4 hau2) means “doorway” or “entrance.”
03
幫你
bong1 nei5
Help you
幫 (bong1) means “to help” or “assist,” and 你 (nei5) means “you.”