cik1 cuk1彳亍

Jyutpingcik1 cuk1

Yalechīk chūk

動詞

Definition

To walk slowly, step by step, or to pace back and forth with pauses.

literaryto walk slowly, step by step
literaryto walk with pauses, or to pace back and forth
figurativeto vacillate over a decision; to hesitate

writtendaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

This term is a literary gem that rarely appears in casual spoken Cantonese, as it is primarily used in formal writing or poetic contexts. While it visually depicts the act of walking, it carries a heavy sense of hesitation or aimlessness that goes beyond simple movement. Using it in everyday conversation will sound overly dramatic or archaic, so it is best reserved for descriptive prose or when you want to emphasize a state of deep indecision.

Examples

keoi5佢喺hai2條tiu4街gaai1度dou6彳cik1亍，cuk1好hou2似ci5唔m4知zi1去heoi3邊bin1好。

He is pacing back and forth on the street, as if he does not know where to go.

min6面deoi3對ni1呢go3個kyut3決ding6定，nei5你zung6仲jiu3要cik1彳cuk1亍gei2幾noi6耐aa4呀？

Facing this decision, how much longer are you going to hesitate?

Common phrases

cik1彳cuk1亍ji4而haang4行

to walk slowly and hesitantly

Common mistake

Learners often mistake it for a common verb like 行, but it is not a synonym for walking in a functional sense. It specifically implies a lack of direction or a psychological state of wavering, so do not use it to describe simply walking to the store.