攞...嚟...

Take X and Use It

Level 3

攞 (lo2) + [Object] + 嚟 (lai4) + [Verb]
Used when you need to go get something first to use it for a specific task.

How It Works

The 攞...嚟... (lo2... lai4...) construction is a staple of spoken Cantonese. It follows a specific logical sequence:

1. 攞 (lo2): The initial action of picking up, fetching, getting, appropriating, allocating, or taking as a resource.
2. The Object: This can be a concrete noun, a resource, a person, or an abstract concept. It can even be an immovable space (e.g., 間房攞嚟開會 - taking the room to hold a meeting).
3. 嚟 (lai4): In this context, 嚟 indicates purpose, similar to 'to' or 'in order to' in English. Note that if the action is to be performed away from the speaker, the pattern becomes 攞...去... using 去 (heoi3) instead (e.g., 攞去賣 - take it away to sell).
4. The Verb/Adjective: The intended action or result.

Key Nuances & Structures:

  • Default Word Order: The standard Subject-Verb-Object order for this serial verb construction is: [Subject] + 攞 + [Object] + 嚟 + [Action] (e.g., 我攞把刀嚟切肉 - I take the knife to cut meat).
  • Pronunciation: Both lai4 and lei4 are standard, universally accepted pronunciations for 嚟 in modern Hong Kong Cantonese.
  • Framing with 係...嘅/㗎: When defining an object's inherent purpose, the pattern is almost always wrapped in the 係...嘅/㗎 cleft construction (e.g., 呢把刀係攞嚟切肉㗎 - This knife is used for cutting meat).
  • With Adjectives & Idioms: It is commonly used with negative adjectives to imply self-inflicted trouble (e.g., 攞嚟衰 lo2 lai4 seoi1 - bringing trouble on oneself, 攞嚟賤 lo2 lai4 zin6 - asking for humiliation / cheapening oneself). Other highly common idioms learners should know are 攞嚟搞 (lo2 lai4 gaau2 - asking for trouble) and 攞苦嚟辛 (lo2 fu2 lai4 san1 - bringing hardship upon oneself). It can also be used with positive adjectives, such as 威 (wai1 - impressive) in 攞嚟威 (to show off).
  • Topicalization: A core feature of Cantonese grammar is moving the object to the front of the sentence for emphasis: [Object] + 係攞嚟 + [Verb] + 㗎 (e.g., 呢把刀係攞嚟切肉㗎 - This knife is used for cutting meat).
  • Object Omission: If the object is understood from context, it can be dropped entirely (e.g., 攞嚟食 - take it to eat).
  • Negation: To negate the purpose, place 唔係 (m4 hai6) before 攞 (e.g., 唔係攞嚟玩㗎 - not for playing with).
  • Asking Questions: To ask what something is for, highly common question forms are 係攞嚟做咩㗎？ (hai6 lo2 lai4 zou6 me1 gaa3?) or 係攞嚟做乜㗎？ (hai6 lo2 lai4 zou6 mat1 gaa3?).
  • Using 做 (zou6): The 'Action' verb is very frequently 做 (to do / to act as) when dealing with abstract concepts (e.g., 攞嚟做參考 - take it to use as a reference).
  • 攞 vs 用: While 攞 and 用 (jung6 - to use) can both define what something is for, they have slightly different nuances. 攞嚟 has a colloquial, active nuance of 'grabbing/appropriating a resource,' whereas 用 is strictly 'to use'. Using 攞嚟 with spaces (like 間房攞嚟開會 - taking the room to hold a meeting) is perfectly natural and implies active acquisition, initiative, or designation of that space, whereas 用嚟 focuses purely on utility or function.

Examples (6)

  1. 攞把刀嚟切麵包。

    Take a knife to cut the bread.

    Word by Word: Take [classifier] knife [purpose] cut bread.

    The standard structure where the object (a knife) is placed between 攞 and 嚟.

  2. 呢把刀係攞嚟切肉㗎。

    This knife is used for cutting meat.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] knife be take [purpose] cut meat [particle].

    An example of topicalization, where the object (this knife) is moved to the front of the sentence for emphasis, framed with 係...㗎 to state its inherent purpose.

  3. 攞嚟食㗎。

    It's for eating.

    Word by Word: Take [purpose] eat [particle].

    When the object is obvious from context, it can be completely omitted.

  4. 呢啲唔係攞嚟玩㗎。

    These are not for playing with.

    Word by Word: These not be take [purpose] play [particle].

    To negate the purpose, use 唔係 (m4 hai6) before the construction, often paired with a final particle like 㗎.

  5. 你買咁貴嘅錶，都係攞嚟威啫。

    You bought such an expensive watch, it's just to show off.

    Word by Word: You buy so expensive [particle] watch, also be take [purpose] impressive [particle].

    Using 攞嚟 with the positive adjective 威 (wai1 - impressive) means 'to show off'. It can also be used with negative adjectives like 衰 (seoi1) for self-inflicted trouble.

  6. 唔好攞我嚟較飛啦！

    Don't use me as a guinea pig!

    Word by Word: Not good take me [purpose] calibrate fly [particle]!

    This construction is often used metaphorically with people, such as using someone as a guinea pig (較飛), for entertainment, or as a scapegoat.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 嚟 (lai4) must be added for the purpose.

    Different Meaning攞把刀切麵包。
    攞把刀嚟切麵包。

    攞把刀切麵包 is natural too. Adding 嚟 (lai4), as in 攞把刀嚟切麵包, makes the 'in order to' link explicit.

  • Using 去 (heoi3) when the bread is next to you.

    Different Meaning攞把刀去切麵包。
    攞把刀嚟切麵包。

    攞把刀去切麵包 is good when you take the knife somewhere else to cut. If the bread is right next to you, use 嚟 (lai4): 攞把刀嚟切麵包.

How It Connects

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

攞...嚟...Level 3Take X and Use It

Learn This First

This pattern is a serial verb construction meaning 'to take/fetch X in order to do Y'. It builds upon the basic 'Use X to do Y' structure but specifies the initial action of grabbing or fetching the object. Learners should be familiar with directional verbs and common classifiers for handheld objects.

Words in This Pattern

攞