jap1 sau2翕手
Jyutpingjap1 sau2
Yaleyāp sáu
Definition
To beckon or wave one's hand to get someone's attention.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the gesture of waving one's hand to signal someone to approach or to get their attention. It is distinct from waving goodbye, which is usually expressed as 揮手. The action is typically performed with the palm facing downwards or inwards, pulling the fingers towards the body.
Examples
When you see him, remember to wave your hand to call him over.
He kept waving his hand at me from a distance, but I couldn't see clearly.
Related words
Common phrases
wave to someone
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 揮手, which is used for waving goodbye or greeting someone from afar. Using 翕手 to say goodbye will sound unnatural as it implies you are beckoning someone to come closer.
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.
