saat3煞

Jyutpingsaat3

Yalesaat

Uncommon

Definition

To terminate, stop, or reduce; also a malignant deity or bad luck.

to bring to an end; to stop; to terminate
to tighten or squeeze
an evil spirit; a malignant deity

colloquialdaily actionsother

How it's used

Commonly appears in the phrase 煞科 to describe the completion of a project or the end of a filming schedule. It carries a sense of abruptness or finality, often implying that something has been brought to a halt. In colloquial speech, it is frequently used in contexts involving mechanical brakes or stopping a process mid-way.

Examples

le1呢daan1單saang1生ji3意saat3煞zo2咗fo1科laa3喇。

This business deal has been called off.

nei5你zou6做me1咩go3個zai3掣aa4呀？

Why are you holding the brake?

Common phrases

saat3煞fo1科

to wrap up a production

saat3煞zai3掣

to apply the brakes

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 殺, which means to kill. While they share similar sounds in some contexts, 煞 is specifically about stopping, terminating, or a supernatural influence, whereas 殺 is strictly about taking a life or defeating an opponent.