dou3 tan3倒褪
Jyutpingdou3 tan3
Yaledou tan
Definition
To walk or move backwards while facing forward; to back up.
colloquialdaily actionstransport
How it's used
This verb specifically describes movement where the subject maintains their original orientation while moving in the opposite direction. It is commonly used for vehicles, such as cars or boats, but also applies to people walking backwards. It captures the physical act of retracing steps or reversing orientation without turning around.
Examples
The car reversed a few meters and almost hit the one behind.
Why are you suddenly walking backwards?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 倒轉, which refers to flipping something upside down or reversing the order of items rather than physical backward movement.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
