sau1 juk6羞辱
Jyutpingsau1 juk6
Yalesāu yuhk
Definition
To humiliate or put someone to shame; to cause someone to lose their self-respect.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of deliberate degradation and is significantly more formal than everyday insults. While it is used in serious contexts, it often appears in news reports or formal complaints regarding workplace harassment or social conflict. It implies an intentional act to strip someone of their dignity rather than just a casual verbal jab.
Examples
He humiliated me in front of everyone, it was really too much.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 鬧, which simply means to scold or yell at someone. 羞辱 is much heavier and implies a lasting impact on the person's self-esteem, whereas 鬧 can be a common, fleeting interaction between friends or family.
Grammar color guide
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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.
