埋（趨向）

Move Closer

Level 3Sounds Like maai4

The particle 埋 (maai4) is used after a verb to indicate movement that reduces the distance between the subject and a reference point. It translates to "closer," "near," or "toward."

How It Works

1. Basic Structure
The most common pattern for physical approach is: [Verb] + 埋 (maai4) + [Directional Particle].

  • 行埋嚟 (haang4 maai4 lai4): Walk closer (toward the speaker).
  • 行埋去 (haang4 maai4 heoi3): Walk closer (toward a target away from the speaker).

2. Usage with Objects
Crucially, when moving an object closer to a target, the object must precede 埋. If the object follows 埋, the meaning changes to 'also/as well'.

  • 搬張枱埋嚟 (bun1 zoeng1 toi2 maai4 lai4): Move the table closer (to here).
  • Contrast: 搬埋張枱嚟 (bun1 maai4 zoeng1 toi2 lai4): Move the table as well (to here).

3. Shifting Position
It is frequently used with verbs of position like 企 (kei5, stand) or 坐 (zo6, sit) to ask someone to shift their position to make room or join a group:

  • 坐埋啲 (zo6 maai4 di1): Sit a bit closer / scoot over.

4. Closing and Shutting
Semantically related to 'moving closer', 埋 is also used for actions that involve closing gaps or shutting things:

  • 閂埋門 (saan1 maai4 mun4): Close the door (shut it tight).
  • 埋口 (maai4 hau2): (For a wound) to close up/heal.

Examples (5)

  1. 行埋嚟啦，我聽唔到你講嘢。

    Come closer; I can't hear what you're saying.

    Word by Word: Walk closer come [particle], I hear not [result] you speak things.

    Here, 行埋嚟 (haang4 maai4 lai4) shows movement toward the speaker.

  2. 唔該你坐埋啲，畀個位佢坐。

    Please sit closer to give him a seat.

    Word by Word: Please you sit closer a bit, give a seat him sit.

    坐埋啲 (zo6 maai4 di1) is a common way to ask someone to scoot over or move closer to others.

  3. 架巴士就嚟埋站喇。

    The bus is about to pull into the stop.

    Word by Word: The [classifier] bus soon approach station [particle].

    In the context of transport, 埋站 (maai4 zaam6) specifically means approaching and pulling into a stop or station.

  4. 你搬張凳埋去嗰邊啦。

    Move the chair over to that side.

    Word by Word: You move [classifier] chair closer go that side [particle].

    To mean 'closer', the object (the chair) must come before 埋.

  5. 佢企埋牆嗰度做乜嘢呀？

    What is he doing standing over there by the wall?

    Word by Word: He stand closer wall that place do what [particle]?

    企埋牆 (企埋牆) indicates standing right up against or very close to a boundary like a wall.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the 'closer' meaning with the 'as well' meaning by misplacing the object.

    Different Meaning搬埋張枱嚟。
    搬張枱埋嚟。

    When 埋 means 'closer', the object must come before it. If you put the object after 埋, it changes the meaning to 'also' or 'as well' (e.g., 'Move the table as well').

  • Omitting the directional particle 嚟 or 去 when indicating 'come here' or 'go there'.

    Different Meaning行埋啦！
    行埋嚟啦！

    While '行埋' can sometimes mean 'walking together,' if you want someone to approach you, you must include 嚟 (lai4).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

埋（趨向）Level 3Move Closer

Learn This First

To understand '埋' as a directional particle meaning 'to approach' or 'move closer', you first need to understand how Cantonese handles basic directionality using '嚟' (come) and '去' (go). Since '埋' functions as a verbal particle, a grasp of how these particles attach to verbs and the general word order of the language is required.

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