ngam4扲
Jyutpingngam4
Yalengàhm
Definition
To search for and take out
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the tactile action of reaching into a confined space, like a pocket or a bag, to retrieve something specific. It implies a sense of groping or digging around rather than just grabbing something visible on a table. It is distinct from 拎, which simply means to carry or take something.
Examples
He searched in his bag for a long time but still couldn't find the keys.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 拎, but 扲 specifically requires the context of searching or reaching into a space to retrieve an item. Using 扲 when you are just picking up an object from a flat surface sounds unnatural.
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.
