sau3 maak3 maak3瘦擘擘瘦掰掰
Jyutpingsau3 maak3 maak3
Yalesau maak maak
Definition
Very skinny, scraggy, or bony.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
This adjective carries a slightly negative or concerned tone, implying someone is unhealthily or excessively thin. It is often used with the particle 咁 to describe a state or appearance. Unlike the neutral word 瘦, this term emphasizes a lack of flesh that makes the person look frail or fragile.
Examples
He is so skinny, it looks like a gust of wind could blow him away.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is fit or athletic, as it specifically highlights a lack of muscle and body mass that suggests weakness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
