sau2 ziu3手照
Jyutpingsau2 ziu3
Yalesáu jiu
Definition
Handheld lighting equipment such as a lantern, candlestick, torch, or lamp.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Refers specifically to portable light sources held in the hand, making it a functional term for items like flashlights or lanterns. While modern speakers frequently use the loanword 電筒, this term remains a descriptive and clear way to identify any hand-held lighting tool.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Remember to bring a torch when hiking at night.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the verb phrase 照手, which means to shine a light on someone's hand or to inspect a hand with light, so context is essential to distinguish the noun from the action.
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.
