sau2 bei3手臂
Jyutpingsau2 bei3
Yalesáu bei
Definition
Arm; the part of the body from the shoulder to the wrist.
neutralbody
How it's used
Refers specifically to the upper limb from the shoulder to the wrist, excluding the hand. While standard in written contexts, in daily speech, people often use 手 or 手臂 interchangeably depending on whether they are referring to the whole limb or just the upper portion.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Their arm hurts a lot, they might have strained it.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget that the measure word for limbs is 隻, not 個. Using 個 with body parts sounds unnatural and incorrect to native speakers.
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.
