Meaning:
The Cantonese phrase “先至” (sin1 zi3) is commonly used to mean “only then,” “until then,” or “not until.” It is used to indicate that a particular action or event will happen only after a certain condition or time is met.
Usage and Explanation:
- Sequence and Condition:
- “先至” is often used to describe a sequence of actions, emphasizing that one action must take place before the next can occur.
- It implies that something will not happen until the prior condition or event is completed.
- Comparative Emphasis:
- Sometimes it is used to stress that something should happen later or as a result of other actions.
Examples with English Translations:
- Condition-based action:
- 粵語: 我做完功課先至出去玩。
- 拼音: Ngo5 zou6 jyun4 gung1 fo3 sin1 zi3 ceot1 heoi3 waan2.
- English: I will only go out and play until then after finishing my homework.
- Time-related sequence:
- 粵語: 佢聽日返嚟，我哋先至開始。
- 拼音: Keoi5 ting1 jat6 faan1 lai4, ngo5 dei6 sin1 zi3 hoi1 ci2.
- English: We will only then start when he comes back tomorrow.
- Emphasizing necessary conditions:
- 粵語: 你食飽先至可以瞓覺。
- 拼音: Nei5 sik6 baau2 sin1 zi3 ho2 ji5 fan3 gaau3.
- English: You can only sleep after you are full.
Key Points to Remember:
- “先至” is similar to the English expression “not until” or “only then.”
- It is commonly used in daily speech to express time-dependent conditions or sequential actions.
- The structure typically follows: Condition + 先至 + Action.
