tau1 zau2偷走
Jyutpingtau1 zau2
Yaletāu jáu
Definition
To slip away secretly; to escape sneakily.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the stealthy or unobserved nature of a departure rather than just the act of leaving. It is frequently used for pets, children, or people trying to avoid an awkward social situation. Unlike the more formal 逃走, this term implies a sense of mischief or a desire to avoid being noticed.
Examples
The cat sneaked out when I opened the door.
Related words
Common phrases
to sneak away quietly
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 偷嘢, which means to steal objects. While both involve the character 偷, 偷走 is strictly about movement and escaping, not theft.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
