sau2 soeng5手上
Jyutpingsau2 soeng5
Yalesáu séuhng
Definition
In one's hands; in one's possession or under one's control.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
Refers primarily to possession or control rather than physical contact. It is frequently used to describe assets, evidence, or tasks that are currently being handled by someone. When someone says something is on their hands, it implies they are the one currently responsible for it.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
work currently on hand
resources on hand
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal action of holding something in your palm, which would be better expressed using 揸住. Using 手上 for a physical object you are currently gripping can sound slightly formal or abstract.
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.
