aak1 sau2握手
Jyutpingaak1 sau2
Yaleāak sáu
Definition
To shake hands with someone, typically as a greeting.
neutralpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the physical act of grasping hands as a formal or polite gesture. While common in business or formal introductions, it is less frequent in casual social settings among close friends, who might prefer a simple wave or nod. It carries a sense of professional decorum or a respectful greeting between relative strangers.
Examples
They shook hands as soon as they met.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe holding hands in a romantic sense, which is expressed as 拖手. Using 握手 for a romantic partner sounds overly formal and detached.
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.
