tau2抖
Jyutpingtau2
Yaletáu
Definition
To rest, take a break, or stop an activity to recover one's energy.
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Often used in the form 抖下 to imply a short, casual break rather than a long period of sleep or vacation. It carries a sense of physical relief after exertion, making it the go-to word when you are physically exhausted from work or exercise. It is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in formal written reports or professional correspondence.
Examples
You have been working all day, take a break first.
Is it time for you to take a break yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 抖氣, which specifically means to breathe. While 抖 implies resting, 抖氣 is the act of inhaling and exhaling, often used in the context of catching one's breath after being out of breath.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
