aau1𢯎
Jyutpingaau1
Yaleāau
Definition
To scratch the skin, typically to relieve an itch.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Primarily used for the physical act of scratching an itch on the skin, this term is often interchangeable with 搲 in casual speech. It carries a slightly more tactile feel than the standard 抓, which is more common in written Chinese. When someone is frustrated or confused, you might also hear people say 𢯎頭 to describe the act of scratching one's head in bewilderment.
Examples
Is your back itchy? Do you need me to help you scratch it?
He keeps scratching his skin until it breaks, which makes it very easy to get infected.
Related words
Common phrases
to scratch an itch
to scratch one's head (in confusion)
to scratch until the skin is broken
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe the action of grabbing or snatching something, as that is the primary meaning of 搲 in some contexts. While they overlap in the sense of scratching, 𢯎 is more specifically associated with relieving an itch.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
