lau4 sam1留心
Jyutpinglau4 sam1
Yalelàuh sām
Definition
To pay attention; to be attentive or concentrate on something.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the act of directing one's attention toward something specific, often to avoid danger or to grasp information. It carries a slightly more formal or instructive tone compared to the more casual 專心, which emphasizes the internal state of being focused. When used as a warning, it functions similarly to telling someone to be careful or watch out.
Examples
You need to be attentive to the cars when crossing the road.
She is very attentive in class, which is why her grades are so good.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 小心, which primarily means to be careful or cautious to avoid harm. While 留心 implies active observation and mental engagement, 小心 is more about general safety or avoiding mistakes.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
