kau3 aat3扣押
Jyutpingkau3 aat3
Yalekau aat
Definition
To detain, impound, or hold by force (of a person or thing).
neutralother
How it's used
Focuses on the state of being forcibly detained or seized by an authority, such as police or customs. It carries a formal and legalistic tone, often appearing in news reports or official notices rather than casual conversation. When referring to people, it implies a loss of freedom, whereas for objects, it implies legal seizure.
Examples
The car was illegally parked and was impounded by the police.
He was held in custody by customs for a few days because of smuggling.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for casual borrowing or keeping something temporarily, as it specifically implies legal or authoritative seizure. Use 拎住 or 攞住 for simply holding an object in your hand.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
