sau2 mou4 cyun3 tit3手無寸鐵手无寸铁
Definition
Unarmed; defenseless; having no weapons in one's hands.
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of helplessness or vulnerability, often used to highlight the unfairness of a situation where one side is physically disadvantaged. It is frequently employed in news reports, political commentary, or dramatic storytelling to emphasize that a person was not a threat. Unlike simple descriptions of being empty-handed, it specifically implies a lack of defensive or offensive capability in a conflict.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean simply holding nothing in their hands, such as when walking down the street. It is strictly reserved for contexts involving conflict, danger, or confrontation where the presence of a weapon would be expected or relevant.
Grammar color guide
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.
