gu2 suk1古縮古缩
Jyutpinggu2 suk1
Yalegú sūk
Definition
Introverted, quiet, unsociable, or old-fashioned.
- unsociable, introverted, and quiet
- conservative and old-fashioned
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
古縮 describes someone who is socially withdrawn, timid, or hesitant to engage with others. It carries a slightly negative connotation of being overly cautious or lacking confidence in social settings. Unlike the neutral term 內向, 古縮 suggests a lack of social ease that might make others feel awkward.
Examples
He is very introverted and rarely speaks.
Related words
Common phrases
to have an introverted personality
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 古肅, which is a rare, formal term meaning solemn or grave. Learners often mishear or miswrite the two because they sound identical in many contexts, but their meanings are completely different.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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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).
