gaan2 zeot1揀卒拣卒
Jyutpinggaan2 zeot1
Yalegáan jēut
Definition
To pick someone suitable for a task; to select subordinates to perform a job.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originating from historical military contexts where commanders selected soldiers for specific missions, this term has evolved into a common office idiom. It implies a sense of agency and responsibility, suggesting that the person choosing is building a trusted team rather than just assigning random tasks. It is almost exclusively used in professional or project management settings.
Examples
The boss told me to pick my team, are you willing to help?
This event is very important, you need to pick your team carefully.
Related words
Common phrases
responsible for picking the team
take one's time to pick the team
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in casual settings or when referring to picking items or objects, as it specifically refers to selecting people for a task or team.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
