sau2 ngaang6手硬
Jyutpingsau2 ngaang6
Yalesáu ngaahng
Definition
Having stiff or inflexible hands; also, being softhearted, lenient, or tolerant.
- having stiff, tense, or inflexible hands
- softhearted; lenient; tolerant
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Beyond describing physical muscle tension or lack of dexterity, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is rigid, stubborn, or unwilling to compromise. It carries a slightly critical tone when applied to personality, suggesting a lack of social or professional flexibility.
Examples
Her hands are completely stiff from playing the piano.
Related words
Common phrases
completely stiff hands
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term 手硬 which can sometimes imply being stingy or tight-fisted with money, as that meaning is not standard in Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
