seon6 sau2順手顺手
Jyutpingseon6 sau2
Yaleseuhn sáu
Definition
By the way; conveniently; doing something extra while performing another task without much additional effort.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Implies that the action is performed as a convenient add-on to a primary task. It emphasizes efficiency and the lack of extra effort required to complete the secondary action. It is frequently used when asking someone for a small favor that fits naturally into their existing plans.
Examples
Could you pick up a bottle of water for me while you are heading downstairs?
He casually placed the document on the table while he was at it.
Related words
Common phrases
help out while you are at it
grab something while you are there
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the meaning of being dexterous or skillful, which is sometimes expressed as 順手 in other Chinese dialects. In Cantonese, it strictly refers to the convenience of doing something while already occupied with another task.
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.
