kam4擒
Jyutpingkam4
Yalekàhm
Definition
To catch, capture, or seize.
colloquialdaily actionsanimals
How it's used
Focuses on the physical act of grabbing or seizing something, often implying a sudden or agile movement. It is frequently used when describing animals or people pouncing on or snatching objects. While it can mean to capture in a formal sense, in daily life it is more commonly associated with the physical motion of catching something with your hands.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 捉, which is the more general and common verb for catching or holding. 擒 often carries a more aggressive or predatory nuance compared to the neutral 捉.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
