si3 sau2試手试手
Jyutpingsi3 sau2
Yalesi sáu
Definition
To try out one's skills; to make a tentative move or test-run.
colloquialdaily actionssports
How it's used
Primarily used in contexts involving physical skills, martial arts, or competitive games where one wants to gauge their current level against an opponent. It carries a sense of testing the waters or checking one's own readiness rather than engaging in a full-scale serious conflict. While it can be used metaphorically in other fields, it retains a strong association with the idea of a trial run or a practice bout.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 試探, which is a more abstract or psychological probing of someone's intentions. 試手 requires an active, physical, or skill-based interaction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
