gou1 ziu1高招
Jyutpinggou1 ziu1
Yalegōu jīu
Definition
A clever move, excellent idea, or brilliant tactic.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Often used with a slightly sarcastic tone when describing someone's cunning or manipulative tactics. While it literally means a high or superior move, it frequently highlights the unexpected or unconventional nature of a strategy rather than just its intelligence.
Measure word
ziu1招jīuExamples
That move of yours is really clever, none of us thought of it.
He used this clever move to solve the problem.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 絕招, which refers to a signature move or a secret skill, whereas 高招 specifically describes the cleverness or effectiveness of a strategy in a given situation.
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.
