dou3 sau2到手
Jyutpingdou3 sau2
Yaledou sáu
Definition
To come into one's possession, obtain, or acquire ownership of something.
colloquialdaily actionsmoney
How it's used
Focuses on the physical or metaphorical moment of acquisition, often implying a sense of relief or completion after a period of waiting. It is frequently used when discussing money, items, or documents that were previously out of reach. Unlike general verbs for getting, this emphasizes the finality of the object being firmly under one's control.
Examples
The gift has finally come into my hands.
Related words
Common phrases
once the money is in hand
successfully obtained
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe abstract concepts like feelings or knowledge, as it is strictly reserved for tangible objects or concrete assets. It is not interchangeable with 攞到, which is a more general verb for picking something up or successfully obtaining something.
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.
