hung1 sau2空手
Jyutpinghung1 sau2
Yalehūng sáu
Definition
Empty-handed; carrying nothing or unarmed.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Carrying nothing is the core meaning, but it carries a strong social implication of being impolite or unprepared. It is frequently used when visiting someone's home or returning from a shopping trip where you failed to find what you were looking for.
Examples
How can you go to someone's house empty-handed?
I came back empty-handed today, I couldn't buy anything.
Related words
Common phrases
to return empty-handed
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Japanese martial art Karate, which is also written as 空手 but pronounced differently in Cantonese. In a social context, it refers strictly to the lack of gifts or items.
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.
