kap1汲

Jyutpingkap1

Yalekāp

Definition

To draw water, or metaphorically to draw on, absorb, or strive for something.

to draw water
to draw on; to absorb
anxious and eager to strive for something

writtendaily actions

How it's used

While 汲 is used for drawing water in a literal sense, it is most frequently encountered in the compound 汲取, which is used for abstract concepts like knowledge, lessons, or experience. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to everyday verbs like攞. In modern spoken Cantonese, you will rarely hear 汲 used as a standalone verb unless referring to the specific action of drawing water from a well.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好nou5努lik6力kap1汲ceoi2取ging1經jim6驗。

He is working hard to draw on experience.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使aa4呀？

Do you need to draw water?

Related words

see alsokap1 ceoi2吸取kāp chéuisee alsotai4 ceoi2提取tàih chéui

Common phrases

kap1汲ceoi2取ging1經jim6驗

to draw on experience

kap1汲ceoi2取gaau3教fan3訓

to learn a lesson

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 汲 with 吸, which means to inhale or absorb. While 汲取 implies drawing from a source through effort, 吸取 is more about the passive absorption of something like air or nutrients.