kap1岌

Jyutpingkap1

Yalekāp

Rare

Definition

To shake, nod, or rock, either up and down or back and forth.

colloquialbodydaily actions

How it's used

Primarily used in the context of nodding or shaking the head, often to signal agreement or disagreement. It conveys a rhythmic or repetitive motion rather than a single, sharp movement. While it can describe other objects rocking, its most frequent and natural application in daily speech is with the head.

Examples

keoi5佢hai2喺dou6度dim2岌tau4頭，jing1應goi1該hai6係tung4同ji3意laa3喇。

He is nodding his head, he probably agrees.

nei5你zou6做mat1乜ngap6岌zyu6住go3個tau4頭aa4呀？

Why are you shaking your head?

Common phrases

dim2岌tau4頭

to nod

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 搖, which is a more general term for shaking or swinging an object. 岌 is specifically restricted to the vertical or back and forth motion of the head or a rocking object, whereas 搖 is much broader in scope.