nau2 ning6扭擰扭拧
Jyutpingnau2 ning6
Yalenáu nihng
Definition
Hesitant and indecisive, or acting shy and bashful.
- hesitant, indecisive, and slow to make a decision
- shy, bashful, or coy
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Describes a person who is overly cautious, shy, or reluctant to commit to a decision. It often carries a slight sense of annoyance from the speaker, implying that the person is wasting time or being unnecessarily difficult. It is frequently used when someone is being coy about their feelings or dragging their feet on a simple choice.
Examples
Don't be so indecisive, if you like it then just say so.
What are you still wavering about? Hurry up and decide.
Related words
Common phrases
to be very hesitant and indecisive
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 扭計, which specifically refers to a child throwing a tantrum or acting out to get their way. While both involve difficult behavior, 扭擰 focuses on indecisiveness and hesitation, whereas 扭計 focuses on willful defiance.
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.
