cyun2竄窜
Jyutpingcyun2
Yalechyún
Definition
To sneak away; to escape or leave somewhere secretly, like a thief.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This character carries a strong sense of illicit or cowardly movement, often implying someone is fleeing or hiding to avoid detection. It is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing mostly in compound words like 竄走 or 竄入. Unlike 走, which is neutral, this word adds a layer of suspicion or stealth to the action.
Examples
He saw the police and immediately snuck away.
Why did you sneak in here quietly?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 竄改, which refers to tampering with documents or data. In that specific context, it does not mean to physically sneak away, but rather to alter something in a dishonest or unauthorized manner.
Grammar color guide
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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.
