suk1 tau4 wu1 gwai1縮頭烏龜缩头乌龟

Jyutpingsuk1 tau4 wu1 gwai1

Yalesūk tàuh wū gwāi

名詞

Definition

A coward; a timid person who shrinks back or avoids responsibility, like a turtle hiding in its shell.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of contempt and is used to mock someone for being spineless or avoiding responsibility. It is much more vivid and aggressive than simply calling someone a coward. Using it implies that the person is actively hiding from a situation rather than just being naturally timid.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

nei5你zou6做me1咩suk1縮tau4頭wu1烏gwai1龜gam3咁joeng2樣，m4唔gam2敢min6面deoi3對jin6現sat6實aa4呀？

Why are you acting like a coward, afraid to face reality?

keoi5佢seng4成zek3隻suk1縮tau4頭wu1烏gwai1龜gam3咁，jau5有si6事zau6就zik1即hak1刻sim2閃jan4人。

He is such a coward, always running away whenever there is trouble.

Common phrases

zou6做suk1縮tau4頭wu1烏gwai1龜

to act like a coward

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is merely shy or quiet. It specifically targets people who are intentionally avoiding conflict or shirking their duties.