haai4 jau2鞋油
Jyutpinghaai4 jau2
Yalehàaih yáu
Definition
Shoe polish, used to shine shoes and restore their color.
colloquialclothingdaily actions
How it's used
Applying shoe polish is often referred to as 擦鞋, which carries a strong secondary meaning of flattering or sucking up to someone. While the literal act of polishing shoes is common, using the phrase in a social context can imply someone is acting like a sycophant. Always consider the context before using the verb form to avoid suggesting someone is being manipulative.
Measure word
hap6盒haphExamples
Could you buy a tin of shoe polish for me?
The leather shoes look very shiny right after applying shoe polish.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse the literal act of polishing shoes with the metaphorical act of brown-nosing, as both use the same verb 擦.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
