laa2 sau2揦手
Jyutpinglaa2 sau2
Yalelá sáu
Definition
Difficult to handle, thorny, or tricky.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Originally describing a lack of dexterity or a messy way of handling objects, the term has evolved to describe situations that are troublesome or difficult to resolve. It carries a sense of frustration, implying that the task is not just hard but also awkward to manage. While still understood, it is increasingly replaced by more modern slang or descriptive phrases in casual speech.
Examples
This document is really tricky, I cannot handle it.
You are so clumsy at this, why not find someone to help?
Related words
Common phrases
clumsy and unable to handle things properly
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 揦手唔成勢, which is a specific idiom for being completely inept or unable to get a grip on a situation. Using 揦手 alone is less common today than it was in the past, so learners might sound slightly dated if they over-rely on it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
