caa4碴
Jyutpingcaa4
Yalechàh
Definition
To find fault with someone, or to pick a quarrel.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Primarily used in the phrase 搵碴, which implies intentionally looking for trouble or picking a quarrel. It carries a confrontational tone and is often used when someone feels they are being unfairly targeted or provoked by another person's nitpicking.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 找茬, which shares the same meaning but is pronounced differently and written with a different character. Stick to 碴 when speaking Cantonese to maintain the local flavor.
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.
