saa2 sau2 ning6 tau4耍手擰頭耍手拧头
Jyutpingsaa2 sau2 ning6 tau4
Yalesá sáu nihng tàuh
Definition
To refuse; to reject by shaking one's head and waving one's hands.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the physical act of rejecting something by combining two distinct gestures. It is frequently used to describe someone who is adamant about their refusal, often implying that the person is not even willing to consider the request. It carries a slightly more dramatic or emphatic tone than simply saying 唔要 or 拒絕.
Examples
I asked him if he wanted to go out, and he immediately refused.
Related words
Common phrases
immediately refuse
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a verbal refusal, as it specifically emphasizes the non-verbal body language of shaking one's head and waving one's hands. If the person refuses by speaking, it is more accurate to use 拒絕 or 唔肯.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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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.
