paau4 syu1刨書刨书
Jyutpingpaau4 syu1
Yalepàauh syū
Definition
To study or read books intensively in a short period of time; to swot up.
colloquialschooldaily actions
How it's used
Evokes the image of peeling away layers of a book to extract information quickly, emphasizing the intensity and urgency of the study process. It is almost exclusively used in the context of preparing for exams or deadlines where one has to digest a large amount of material in a short window. The term carries a slightly informal and self-deprecating tone, often used when complaining about the workload.
Examples
The final exam is next week, I need to cram like crazy these few days.
Related words
Common phrases
pull an all-nighter to cram
cramming until sleepy
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe casual reading for pleasure, as it specifically implies a high-pressure, goal-oriented study session. It is not a synonym for general reading or studying.
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.
