sau2 gap1 ngaan5 faai3手急眼快
Jyutpingsau2 gap1 ngaan5 faai3
Yalesáu gāp ngáahn faai
Definition
Quick-witted and nimble; to act dexterously and react quickly.
colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
This idiom describes someone who possesses both physical coordination and mental alertness, often used to praise someone who can handle fast-paced tasks or emergencies. It is frequently applied to people playing video games, working in busy kitchens, or managing high-pressure retail environments. Unlike simply being fast, it implies a high level of precision and situational awareness.
Examples
He is very good at gaming; he is truly quick-witted and agile.
Related words
Common phrases
to react with great agility and speed
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a verb phrase, but it functions primarily as an adjective to describe a person or their actions. Do not use it to describe a machine or a process that is simply fast, as it specifically highlights human dexterity and reaction speed.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
