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?

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.