haai5 zaau2 bat1蟹爪筆蟹爪笔
Jyutpinghaai5 zaau2 bat1
Yaleháaih jáau bāt
Definition
A type of Chinese ink brush, typically used for painting.
neutralother
How it's used
This specific type of brush is prized by traditional painters for its unique ability to create sharp, angular lines that resemble the legs or pincers of a crab. It is not a standard tool for calligraphy but rather a specialized instrument for detailed brushwork in landscape or flower painting. Artists often choose it when they need to achieve a dry, textured effect that a softer, more absorbent brush cannot produce.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
Related words
Common phrases
to use a crab pincer brush
a crab pincer brush
Common mistake
Beginners often confuse this with a standard writing brush and struggle with its stiffness, as it is designed for precision and texture rather than the fluid, continuous strokes used in daily handwriting.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
