caam4棖枨
Jyutpingcaam4
Yalechàahm
Definition
A doorpost or prop; to stir up feelings.
- doorpost; a prop
- to touch or stir up someone's feelings
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Primarily used in colloquial speech to describe the act of propping something up or physically obstructing a space, such as a door or a narrow passage. Beyond the physical sense, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who intentionally irritates or provokes another person, effectively 'propping up' their temper until it boils over.
Examples
He is always blocking the doorway.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 撐, which means to support or push against something with force. While 棖 implies a static obstruction or a deliberate act of annoyance, 撐 is more about active resistance or physical bracing.
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.
