dau2 sau2抖擻抖擞

Jyutpingdau2 sau2

Yaledáu sáu

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To rouse oneself, liven up, or perk up one's spirits.

colloquialdaily actionsemotion

How it's used

Often used in the context of shaking off lethargy or preparing for a challenging task. While it implies a physical or mental shift, it is almost exclusively paired with the word 精神 to emphasize the act of waking up one's senses or focus. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to more common colloquial expressions like 醒神.

Examples

keoi5佢dau2抖sau2擻zo2咗zing1精san4神zi1之hau6後，zou6做je5嘢dou1都faai3快sau2手hou2好do1多。

After he roused his spirits, he worked much faster.

Common phrases

dau2抖sau2擻zing1精san4神

to rouse one's spirits

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 抖, which simply means to rest or take a break. Using 抖擻 to mean resting is incorrect, as it specifically refers to the active process of becoming alert or energized rather than relaxing.