gam6搇
Jyutpinggam6
Yalegahm
Definition
To press with fingers or hands; to lead on or trick someone.
- to press down with fingers or hands
- slangto lead someone on; to trick; to deceive
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Primarily used for physical pressing actions like doorbells or elevator buttons, 搇 carries a distinct tactile sense of pushing down. When used metaphorically to mean leading someone on or stringing them along, it implies a sense of manipulation or keeping someone in a state of suspense. It is a very specific colloquial term that feels more grounded and informal than general verbs like 按.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 撳, which is the more common and standard way to write the verb for pressing buttons in modern Cantonese. While 搇 is understood, 撳 is the preferred character for digital or mechanical interfaces in almost all contexts.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
