ceot1絀绌
Jyutpingceot1
Yalechēut
Definition
Deficient; short of; lacking.
writtenmoneywork
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively encountered in the compound 緊絀. It functions as a formal, descriptive element to indicate a state of scarcity or strain, particularly regarding resources, time, or money. You will rarely see it used as a standalone verb or noun in modern spoken Cantonese.
Examples
The company is very short-staffed lately.
Do you think their finances are very tight?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 緊絀 for 緊張, but they are not interchangeable. 緊張 describes a state of anxiety or a tense atmosphere, whereas 緊絀 specifically refers to a lack of resources or a tight budget.
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.
