caau1抄

Jyutpingcaau1

Yalechāau

動詞Common

Definition

To take a photo or shoot footage.

colloquialdaily actionsslang

How it's used

Using 抄 to mean taking a photo is specific to Hong Kong slang and is derived from the idea of capturing an image. It is not the standard term for photography, which is 影相, but it is frequently heard among younger generations or in casual settings. It carries a slightly more active or intentional nuance than the generic 影.

Examples

nei5你bong1幫ngo5我caau1抄zoeng1張soeng1相hou2好m4唔hou2好aa3呀？

Could you take a photo for me?

keoi5佢hou2好zung1鍾ji3意caau1抄soeng1相，sing4成jat6日daai3帶zyu6住bou6部soeng3相gei1機。

He loves taking photos and always carries his camera.

Common phrases

gou1高caau1抄

to shoot from a high angle

dai1低caau1抄

to shoot from a low angle

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the standard meaning of 抄, which is to copy or plagiarize. In most contexts, 抄 refers to copying homework or notes, so using it for photography can sound confusing if the listener is not familiar with this specific slang usage.