dou3 / dou2捯
Jyutpingdou3 / dou2
Yaledou / dóu
Definition
To buy and resell for a profit, or to examine and search through.
- slangto buy and resell for a profit; to speculate
- to examine, rummage, or search through
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Used primarily to describe the physical action of rummaging or searching through a cluttered space like a drawer, bag, or pile of items. It implies a sense of disorder or lack of visibility, where one must move things around to find a specific object. It is a very tactile word that conveys the feeling of fingers moving through a mess.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 搵, which is a general term for searching or looking for something. 捯 specifically focuses on the physical act of digging or rummaging through items, whereas 搵 can be used for searching for people, jobs, or abstract concepts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
