suk6 maai5贖買赎买
Jyutpingsuk6 maai5
Yalesuhk máaih
Definition
To redeem, buy back, or buy out.
writtenmoneyother
How it's used
This term carries a formal or literary weight, often appearing in contexts involving legal rights, historical property, or abstract concepts like freedom and dignity. Unlike everyday shopping verbs such as 買 or 買返, it implies a process of reclaiming something that was previously lost, pledged, or taken away. It is rarely used for simple retail transactions.
Examples
He wants to redeem that family heirloom.
How do you plan to buy back your freedom?
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for common store purchases, but it sounds overly dramatic or archaic in casual settings. Use 買返 or 贖返 for everyday situations like retrieving a pawned item.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
