sau1 lim5收斂收敛
Jyutpingsau1 lim5
Yalesāu líhm
Definition
To restrain oneself, tone things down, or act with more moderation and decency.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the act of pulling back or toning down behavior that was previously excessive or inappropriate. It implies a conscious effort to exercise self control after a period of being out of line. It is frequently used to describe someone who has finally learned to behave appropriately after receiving warnings or criticism.
Examples
Watch your tongue a bit, don't keep offending people.
He has been much more restrained lately and isn't causing trouble anymore.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal or mathematical sense of convergence, as in daily speech it almost exclusively refers to behavioral moderation. It is not used to describe physical objects being packed away or gathered.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
