hiu1 sau2梟首枭首
Jyutpinghiu1 sau2
Yalehīu sáu
Definition
To behead a criminal and display the head publicly on a pole.
writtenother
How it's used
This term is strictly literary and historical, referring to a specific form of capital punishment where the head was severed and displayed on a pole. It is never used in modern daily life, even when discussing crime or violence. It carries a heavy, archaic tone often found in period dramas or historical accounts.
Examples
In ancient times, criminals had to suffer the punishment of beheading and public display.
They beheaded the rebel leader and hung his head for all to see.
Related words
Common phrases
behead and display the head to the public
Common mistake
Do not use this word to mean general beheading or killing, as it specifically implies the post-mortem act of public display. Using it in a casual context will sound bizarrely dramatic or inappropriately gruesome.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
