sou1騷骚
Jyutpingsou1
Yalesōu
Definition
Show; a performance, exhibition, or entertainment event.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Borrowed from the English word show, this term is primarily used in the sense of showing off or displaying something to gain attention. It often carries a slightly playful or critical nuance, implying that the person is being a bit vain or ostentatious. It functions as a transitive verb and is very common in casual social settings.
Examples
Why are you showing off your wallet?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the native Cantonese word 騷 meaning itchy or a flirtatious manner, which is a completely different word despite sharing the same character. When used as a loanword for show, it is almost always used in the context of showing off possessions or skills.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
