sou1 sau2搔首
Jyutpingsou1 sau2
Yalesōu sáu
Definition
To scratch one's head, especially as a gesture of hesitation, anxiety, or flirtation.
- literaryto scratch one's head in hesitation or anxiety
- figurativeto behave in a flirtatious or coquettish manner
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Literally referring to scratching one's head, this term has evolved to describe someone posing or acting in a deliberately seductive or attention-seeking manner. It is almost exclusively used in the four-character idiom 搔首弄姿 to describe someone showing off their appearance to attract others. Using it on its own as a verb is rare and often sounds sarcastic or critical.
Examples
She is always acting flirtatiously, really wanting to attract attention.
Stop acting so flirtatious, it is really gross.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply scratching an itchy head, which would be 搔頭. Using 搔首 in a casual context to mean scratching your head will confuse listeners, as they will interpret it as you trying to look seductive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
