cim4 seoi2 teng5潛水艇潜水艇
Jyutpingcim4 seoi2 teng5
Yalechìhm séui téhng
Definition
Submarine; also a slang term for an anti-social person who avoids social events to study or do their own thing.
- submarine
- slangan anti-social person who avoids social gatherings, often to study or do their own thing
colloquialpeopletransport
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of a naval vessel, this term is a common metaphor for someone who avoids social interaction or group activities. It shares the same root as the verb 潛水, which describes someone who stops posting or participating in online group chats. Using this to describe a person implies they are intentionally keeping a low profile rather than just being shy.
Measure word
gaa3架gaExamples
He is always a loner and rarely comes out to hang out with us.
Related words
Common phrases
to be a loner
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the more common term 書呆子, which specifically refers to a nerd or someone obsessed with books. 潛水艇 focuses on the act of disappearing or being socially unavailable, whereas 書呆子 focuses on academic obsession.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
