sau1 sau2收手
Jyutpingsau1 sau2
Yalesāu sáu
Definition
To stop or quit doing something.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Often implies that the person is currently involved in something risky, illicit, or stubborn that they should abandon before consequences worsen. It carries a sense of warning or advice, suggesting that continuing will only lead to further trouble. While it can be used for harmless activities, it is most frequently heard in contexts involving gambling, arguments, or shady business dealings.
Examples
It is still not too late for you to stop now.
Related words
Common phrases
to advise someone to quit
to stop while one still can
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 停手, which is more neutral and often refers to a physical action or a temporary pause in work. 收手 carries a stronger connotation of ending an entire endeavor or quitting a path of action permanently.
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.
