sau2 kaau3手銬手铐
Jyutpingsau2 kaau3
Yalesáu kaau
Definition
Handcuffs or shackles used to lock a person's hands together behind their back.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the metal restraint device used by law enforcement. While it is a noun, it is almost always used with the classifier 副 to emphasize the pair of interlocking rings. It carries a serious tone associated with crime or arrest, so it is rarely used in casual or lighthearted contexts.
Measure word
fu3副fuExamples
The police took out a pair of handcuffs to lock up the thief.
Do you know where they sell handcuffs?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 個 as the classifier, but 副 is the standard and natural choice for paired items like handcuffs or glasses.
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.
