so2 liu4鎖鐐锁镣
Jyutpingso2 liu4
Yalesó lìuh
Definition
Fetters, chains, and shackles; physical restraints for a prisoner.
writtenother
How it's used
Refers specifically to heavy metal restraints used on prisoners, carrying a much more severe and archaic tone than modern handcuffs. It is rarely used in casual conversation and appears mostly in historical dramas, crime reports, or literary descriptions of imprisonment. Use 手銬 for standard police handcuffs instead.
Measure word
fu3副fuExamples
The prisoner is still wearing shackles on his body.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word for everyday locks like door locks or padlocks, which are called 鎖. Using this word for a door lock sounds like you are describing a medieval dungeon.
Grammar color guide
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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.
