siu2 dung6 zok3小動作小动作
Jyutpingsiu2 dung6 zok3
Yalesíu duhng jok
Definition
Subconscious body language, or a petty underhanded trick.
- unconscious, subtle body movements or gestures
- figurativepetty, underhanded actions or small-scale political maneuvering
colloquialbodypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to repetitive or involuntary physical habits that reveal a person's inner state or nervousness. While it can describe neutral habits like tapping a pen, it is frequently used to imply someone is hiding something or feeling anxious. In a different context, it can also describe petty, underhanded tactics used to sabotage someone behind their back.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He likes to make subconscious gestures when he lies.
Can you observe if he has any subconscious body language?
Related words
Common phrases
to have many nervous habits
to engage in underhanded tactics
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 動作, which refers to deliberate physical actions or movements in general. 小動作 specifically carries the nuance of being subtle, often involuntary, or slightly sneaky.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
