gwok3 sau2國手国手
Jyutpinggwok3 sau2
Yalegwok sáu
Definition
A national-level expert or top practitioner in a specific field, such as medicine, chess, or sports.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone who has attained a level of mastery that is recognized nationally, often implying a sense of prestige and authority. While it can be used for sports or games like chess, it is most frequently encountered in the context of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who are considered the best in the country. It carries a formal and respectful tone, elevating the person above a mere professional.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He is a recognized expert in the chess world.
This TCM practitioner has such great skills, he really deserves to be called a master.
Related words
Common phrases
national-level chess master
national-level TCM expert
Common mistake
Do not use this word for casual hobbies or everyday skills, as it specifically denotes a national level of excellence. It is not a generic term for a skilled worker or a professional.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Connector
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).



