saat3 jim4撒鹽撒盐
Jyutpingsaat3 jim4
Yalesaat yìhm
Definition
To spread salt, especially in the context of pouring salt on a wound.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in the metaphorical sense of making a bad situation worse for someone who is already suffering. It carries a strong connotation of cruelty or lack of empathy, as it describes an intentional act of causing further emotional pain. While the literal action of sprinkling salt exists, you will rarely hear this phrase used outside of the idiom.
Examples
Don't pour salt on other people's wounds.
They just went through a breakup and someone rubbed salt in the wound, it's really miserable.
Related words
Common phrases
rub salt in the wound
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the act of seasoning food, which uses the verb 落. Using 撒鹽 in a cooking context sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
