jiu4 san1 jiu4 sai3搖身搖勢摇身摇势
Jyutpingjiu4 san1 jiu4 sai3
Yaleyìuh sān yìuh sai
Definition
To sway one's body, especially when walking, often showing off or acting in an ostentatious manner.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
This expression describes a person walking with an exaggerated, rhythmic side to side motion of the torso. It often carries a slightly negative or mocking connotation, implying that the person is being overly confident, arrogant, or trying too hard to show off. While it can describe a natural gait, it is most frequently used to criticize someone for walking in a way that draws unnecessary attention to themselves.
Examples
He walks with a swaying body, looking like he's so cool.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being unsteady or dizzy. It specifically refers to a deliberate or habitual style of walking, not a physical symptom of illness or intoxication.
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.
