sou1搔
Jyutpingsou1
Yalesōu
Definition
To scratch an itchy part of the body with fingernails or an object to relieve itching.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
While 搔 is the formal term for scratching, native speakers almost exclusively use 抓 or the colloquial R to describe the physical action of relieving an itch. Using 搔 in daily conversation can sound slightly clinical or literary, similar to using the word 'lacerate' instead of 'scratch' in English. It is most commonly encountered in written descriptions or when referring to animals scratching surfaces.
Examples
My back is very itchy, could you please scratch it for me?
The cat scratched the sofa to pieces, it is so annoying.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 搔 with 抓. While both can mean to scratch, 抓 is much more versatile and common in spoken Cantonese, whereas 搔 is largely restricted to the context of skin irritation or specific formal descriptions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
