sau2 sai2嗾使
Definition
To instigate, egg on, or incite someone to do something.
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation, implying that someone is being manipulated or incited to perform an act that is often malicious or wrong. It is significantly more formal than everyday speech and is frequently encountered in news reports, legal contexts, or when describing someone acting as a puppet for another person. Unlike casual verbs for encouraging someone, this word specifically highlights the hidden, often sinister influence of the instigator.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general word for 'encourage' or 'persuade', but it is strictly reserved for negative or harmful actions. Using it to describe positive encouragement, such as urging a friend to study, would sound unnatural and accusatory.
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.
