nim1拈
Jyutpingnim1
Yalenīm
Definition
To pick up or hold with the fingers.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Primarily used to describe the act of picking up small objects with the fingers or nervously fiddling with something. It often implies a repetitive or aimless action, such as playing with a pen or a piece of clothing while distracted. The term is distinct from 攞, which refers to the deliberate act of taking or grabbing something.
Examples
He really likes to fiddle with his hair.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 拈, which can sometimes appear in formal idioms like 拈花惹草. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used in the colloquial sense of fidgeting with small items.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
