maai4 sau2埋手
Jyutpingmaai4 sau2
Yalemàaih sáu
Definition
To start dealing with or tackling a problem.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the initial phase of engagement with a task or problem that requires effort or strategy. It implies a sense of physical or mental involvement, often used when someone is procrastinating or overwhelmed by the scale of a project. It is frequently paired with 點樣 or 點 to express uncertainty about the starting point.
Examples
This document is a mess, how do you plan to start tackling it?
Hurry up and start working on it, or you won't finish in time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 埋單, which specifically refers to paying a bill. While both share the character 埋, 埋手 is about initiating action, whereas 埋單 is about concluding a transaction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
