saam1 zim1 baat3 gok3三尖八角
Jyutpingsaam1 zim1 baat3 gok3
Yalesāam jīm baat gok
Definition
Irregularly shaped, jagged, or having a strange, multi-cornered appearance.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily to describe physical objects that have awkward, sharp, or non-standard geometry. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the shape is inconvenient or aesthetically unpleasing. It is rarely used to describe people, unlike English terms like "edgy" or "sharp-featured."
Examples
This box is an awkward shape, it is hard to put into the cupboard.
Why did you buy such weirdly shaped ornaments?
Related words
Common phrases
awkwardly shaped things
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a person's personality or a sharp mind. It is strictly reserved for the physical, irregular shape of inanimate objects.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
