saan3 sau1 sau1散收收
Jyutpingsaan3 sau1 sau1
Yalesaan sāu sāu
Definition
Scattered, loose, unorganized, or undisciplined.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
Describes a person or a situation that lacks focus, organization, or discipline. It carries a slightly critical tone, suggesting that the subject is not pulling their weight or is mentally checked out. It is often used to describe someone who is physically present but mentally wandering or failing to follow a clear plan.
Examples
Don't be so scattered when you work, focus a bit.
He is usually so undisciplined, how can he handle this big task?
Related words
Common phrases
a scattered attitude
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 散開, which refers to physical objects scattering or people dispersing. 散收收 is strictly for describing an attitude or a state of disorganization.
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.
