V+開

Verb + Aside

Level 2Sounds Like hoi1

V + 開 (hoi1) acts as a directional complement meaning 'away', 'aside', or 'apart'. It describes moving oneself away from a spot or moving an object aside to clear space.

How It Works

1. Physical Displacement & Clearing Space
Using V + 開 shows that an action causes someone or something to move away from an obstacle or original position.
• 行開 (haang4 hoi1) = step aside / walk away
• 搬開 (bun1 hoi1) = move (something) aside
• 攞開 (lo2 hoi1) = take away / remove

2. Opening or Separating Outward
It is also used for pulling or spreading things apart:
• 拉開 (laai1 hoi1) = pull open / pull apart
• 擘開 (maak3 hoi1) = spread open / open wide

3. Short Absence with 咗
When combined with the perfective aspect marker 咗 (zo2), as in 佢行開咗 (keoi5 haang4 hoi1 zo2), it specifically means stepping away from one's post for a brief moment.

4. Pragmatic Nuance and Politeness
Direct imperative commands like 行開！ (haang4 hoi1!) sound harsh or dismissive ('Get out of the way!'). To make polite requests, add 唔該 (m4 goi1) and 啲 (di1), e.g., 唔該行開啲 (m4 goi1 haang4 hoi1 di1 - 'Please step aside a bit').

5. Word Order
In Cantonese, direct objects follow V+開, as in 搬開張檯 (bun1 hoi1 zoeng1 toi2), not between the verb and 開.

Examples (4)

  1. 唔該你行開啲，擋住我睇電視呀。

    Please step aside a bit; you're blocking my view of the TV.

    Word by Word: Please you walk away a bit, block continuous me watch TV SFP.

    Adding 唔該 (m4 goi1) and 啲 (di1) softens the command into a polite request to step aside.

  2. 幫我搬開張檯，我想掃地。

    Help me move the table aside; I want to sweep the floor.

    Word by Word: Help me move away CL table, I want sweep floor.

    搬開 (bun1 hoi1) combines 搬 (bun1, move) with 開 (hoi1) to express moving an object aside to clear space.

  3. 佢行開咗一陣，好快返嚟。

    He stepped away for a moment; he will be back soon.

    Word by Word: He walk away perfective a while, very fast return come.

    When paired with 咗 (zo2), 行開 (haang4 hoi1) indicates stepping out temporarily from one's desk or post.

  4. 請你拉開個窗簾啦。

    Please pull open the curtains.

    Word by Word: Please you pull away CL curtain SFP.

    拉開 (laai1 hoi1) uses 開 (hoi1) to describe pulling something apart or opening it outward.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the direct object between the main verb and 開 (hoi1).

    幫我搬張檯開。
    幫我搬開張檯。

    In Cantonese directional complement constructions, the direct object comes directly after V+開, resulting in 搬開張檯 (bun1 hoi1 zoeng1 toi2).

  • Using a bare V+開 command with no softening word.

    Different Meaning你行開！
    唔該你行開啲。

    你行開！ is a natural but blunt order, like ‘Get out of my way!’. It is fine with a close friend or in a hurry. To be polite, soften it with 唔該 (m4 goi1) and 啲 (di1): 唔該你行開啲.

  • Using 行開 (haang4 hoi1) for long-distance or permanent departure.

    佢行開咗去外國生活。
    佢搬咗去外國生活。

    行開 (haang4 hoi1) usually means stepping away locally or temporarily from a spot, not emigrating or moving permanently.

How It Connects

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V+開Level 2Verb + Aside

Learn This First

To understand 'V+開', you need to be familiar with how Cantonese attaches particles to verbs to indicate direction. It follows the same structural logic as basic directional markers like 'come' and 'go'.

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