cap1戢

Jyutpingcap1

Yalechāp

Definition

To restrain oneself, cease, hide, or hoard.

to restrain oneself
to cease or stop
to hide or store away
to hoard

writtendescriptions

How it's used

This character is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese and is primarily encountered in formal, literary, or written contexts. It carries a sense of self-discipline or holding back one's impulses, which distinguishes it from more common verbs like 收斂. Using it in casual conversation will likely sound overly formal or archaic to native speakers.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou2好cap1戢，m4唔zung1鍾ji3意ceot1出fung1風tau4頭。

He is usually very restrained and does not like to show off.

zou6做jan4人jiu3要sik1識dak1得cap1戢，m4唔hou2好taai3太gwo3過fo2火。

One must know how to restrain oneself and not go too far.

Common phrases

cap1戢jik6翼

to fold one's wings; to lie low

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 執, which is a very common verb meaning to tidy up or to pick up. They look somewhat similar in print but have completely different meanings and pronunciations.