sau2 wun2手腕
Jyutpingsau2 wun2
Yalesáu wún
Definition
Wrist; the joint between the arm and the hand.
neutralbody
How it's used
Refers specifically to the anatomical joint connecting the forearm to the hand. While it is the standard term for the body part, it is also used metaphorically in business or politics to describe someone's skill or tact in handling difficult situations, similar to the concept of finesse.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They sprained their wrist and it hurts so much they cannot move it.
Wearing that watch on your wrist looks quite nice.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 手腕 in its metaphorical sense of political or social maneuvering, as learners often mistakenly assume it only refers to the physical joint.
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.
