jau4 tau4由頭由头
Jyutpingjau4 tau4
Yaleyàuh tàuh
Definition
From the very beginning; all over again.
colloquialtimedaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the entirety of a process or narrative, emphasizing that nothing should be skipped. It is frequently paired with verbs of movement or perception like 講, 睇, or 嚟過 to suggest a complete restart. Unlike formal expressions, it feels natural and direct in casual conversation.
Examples
You need to explain this from the beginning for it to be clear.
Shall we read through the document again from the start?
Related words
Common phrases
to tell from the beginning
to start over from the beginning
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 從頭, which is more common in written Chinese or formal speech. While they share the same meaning, 由頭 is the standard choice for spoken Cantonese.
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.
