aau3拗
Jyutpingaau3
Yaleaau
Definition
To bend, flex, or curve an object.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal sense of bending physical objects, this word is frequently used in the context of arguing or being stubborn, such as 拗撬. It carries a sense of resistance or friction, whether physical or interpersonal. When used for arm wrestling, it specifically refers to the act of forcing the other person's arm down.
Examples
The iron bar is so hard, how can you bend it?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the character 拗 used in the sense of arguing, which is often pronounced differently in some contexts, though the written form remains the same. Learners sometimes mistakenly use it for folding paper, where 摺 is the more appropriate choice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
