CantoSlang: To Blow Water
Cantonese in real life
Today's slang
吹水
ceoi1 seoi2
A relaxed little phrase for lingering conversations, quick catch-ups, and those chats that somehow become an hour.
Literal meaning
To blow water.
Slang meaning
To chat, gossip, or shoot the breeze.
Try saying
忙唔忙呀？得唔得閒吹水呀！
mong4 m4 mong4 aa3? dak1 m4 dak1 haan4 ceoi1 seoi2 aa3!
In English
"Are you busy? Got a minute to catch up?"
Hear the phrase
Tap to play the Cantonese pronunciation
Break it down
忙唔忙 · mong4 m4 mong4
A common A-not-A structure meaning "Are you busy?"
得唔得閒 · dak1 m4 dak1 haan4
Literally, "are you free?" — a natural way to ask if someone has time.
Coffee break, good company, no rush.
When to use it
Lazy Saturdays, office breaks, or anytime you want a proper catch-up.