hau2 zyut3口拙

Jyutpinghau2 zyut3

Yaleháu jyut

Definition

Clumsy or awkward in speech; inarticulate; not good at talking.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

Describes someone who lacks eloquence or struggles to express themselves clearly in social situations. It carries a slightly self-deprecating or sympathetic tone rather than being a harsh insult. Unlike being shy, which relates to personality, this specifically targets the inability to articulate thoughts smoothly.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou2好hau2口zyut3拙，m4唔hai6係hou2好sik1識gong2講je5嘢。

He is usually not good with words and doesn't really know how to talk.

nei5你sai2使mat1乜geng1驚aa4呀，zau6就syun3算hau2口zyut3拙dou1都mou5冇jan4人siu3笑nei5你。

Why are you afraid? Even if you aren't good at speaking, no one will laugh at you.

Common phrases

tin1天saang1生hau2口zyut3拙

naturally not good at speaking

wai4為jan4人hau2口zyut3拙

to be a person who is not good with words

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 唔講嘢, which simply means someone is quiet or chooses not to speak. 口拙 implies an actual difficulty or lack of skill in communication, whereas someone who is quiet might be perfectly articulate when they choose to speak.