suk1 tau4 suk1 nou5縮頭縮腦缩头缩脑
Jyutpingsuk1 tau4 suk1 nou5
Yalesūk tàuh sūk nóuh
Definition
Timid, fainthearted, or shrinking back from responsibility; showing fear or cowardice.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes someone who lacks confidence or is afraid to face a situation, literally evoking the image of a turtle pulling its head into its shell. It is frequently used to criticize someone for being overly cautious or hesitant when they should be taking action. Unlike simply being shy, it carries a slightly derogatory tone implying a lack of courage or integrity.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is just naturally quiet or introverted, as it specifically targets a lack of bravery or a tendency to dodge responsibility.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
