sau2 zuk1 mou4 cou3手足無措手足无措

Jyutpingsau2 zuk1 mou4 cou3

Yalesáu jūk mòuh chou

形容詞

Definition

At a loss; helpless and flustered, not knowing what to do.

neutralemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This is a formal four character idiom that is often used in descriptive or slightly dramatic contexts to emphasize a state of panic or confusion. While it is perfectly understood in spoken Cantonese, it carries a slightly literary weight compared to purely colloquial phrases like 唔知點算好. It is most effective when describing a sudden, overwhelming situation where one's usual composure completely breaks down.

Examples

keoi5佢dat6突jin4然man6問ngo5我ni1呢go3個man6問tai4題，gaau2搞dou3到ngo5我sau2手zuk1足mou4無cou3措。

He suddenly asked me this question, leaving me completely at a loss.

gin3見dou2到go3個coeng4場min2面gam3咁wan6混lyun6亂，nei5你hai6係mai6咪gok3覺dak1得sau2手zuk1足mou4無cou3措aa4呀？

Seeing the scene in such chaos, do you feel flustered and helpless?

Common phrases

haak3嚇dou3到sau2手zuk1足

scared to the point of being at a loss

gaau2搞dou3到sau2手zuk1足mou4無cou3措

to cause someone to be in a fluster

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this to describe simple indecision, such as choosing between two menu items. It is reserved for situations involving genuine panic, shock, or a lack of preparation for an unexpected crisis.