sau1搜
Jyutpingsau1
Yalesāu
Definition
To search, look for, or seek.
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
Unlike the everyday verb 揾, which is used for finding or looking for anything, 搜 carries a more formal or investigative tone. It is typically reserved for official searches, such as police raids or customs inspections, or for the systematic gathering of information or objects.
Examples
The police are searching his house right now.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 搜 in casual contexts where 揾 is much more natural. Avoid using 搜 when you are simply looking for your lost keys or searching for a restaurant, as it sounds overly serious or like a police investigation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
