fu2拊
Jyutpingfu2
Yalefú
Definition
To pat or tap; also refers to the handle of a vessel.
- to pat or tap
- literarythe handle of a vessel
writtendaily actionsbody
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe the action of patting or tapping. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use 拍 instead of 拊 to describe this physical action. Using 拊 in casual conversation will sound quite archaic or overly dramatic to native speakers.
Examples
He gave my shoulder a light pat.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 拍. While 拍 is the standard, versatile word for patting, hitting, or clapping, 拊 is restricted to specific, often gentle or ritualistic gestures and is rarely heard in modern speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
