set tau4Ｓｅｔ頭Ｓｅｔ头
Jyutpingset tau4
Yaleset tàuh
Definition
To style or set one's hair.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This term is widely used in Hong Kong to describe the act of styling hair with products like gel, wax, or hairspray. It is specifically associated with the process of grooming or arranging hair to look neat or stylish before going out. While it sounds like English, it is a quintessential piece of Cantonese slang that has become the standard way to refer to this daily routine.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English verb set, as it specifically refers to hair styling rather than general preparation or arrangement of objects. It is strictly a verb phrase and cannot be used to describe the hair itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
