giu2 sit6撟舌挢舌

Jyutpinggiu2 sit6

Yalegíu siht

Definition

To be tongue-tied.

colloquialbodyemotion

How it's used

This term specifically describes the physical or psychological inability to speak clearly due to extreme nervousness or being caught off guard. It carries a slightly humorous tone, often used to tease someone who is usually articulate but suddenly loses their composure. It is distinct from simply forgetting a word, as it implies a total blockage of speech.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一gin3見dou2到sam1心ji4儀deoi3對zoeng6象zau6就giu2撟sit6舌，gong2講m4唔ceot1出je5嘢。

He gets tongue-tied whenever he sees his crush and cannot say a word.

nei5你sai2使mat1乜gam3咁gan2緊zoeng1張aa4呀？jau6又m4唔hai6係jiu3要nei5你soeng5上toi4台jin2演gong2講，m4唔sai2使giu2撟sit6舌㗎。

Why are you so nervous? You don't have to give a speech, no need to get tongue-tied.

Common phrases

gan2緊zoeng1張dou3到giu2撟sit6舌

so nervous that one becomes tongue-tied

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with being physically unable to speak due to a medical condition, but it is almost exclusively used for social anxiety or sudden embarrassment.