tau1 siu3偷笑
Jyutpingtau1 siu3
Yaletāu siu
Definition
To laugh up one's sleeve; to snicker, titter, or laugh in a quiet, suppressed way.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the internal or concealed nature of amusement rather than just the sound. It implies a sense of schadenfreude or secret satisfaction, often occurring when someone witnesses a minor mishap or thinks of a private joke. Unlike laughing out loud, it suggests a deliberate attempt to keep one's reaction hidden from the person being laughed at.
Examples
Seeing him make a fool of himself, the people nearby couldn't help but snicker.
Why are you snickering over there? Are you thinking of something naughty?
Related words
Common phrases
cannot help but snicker
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 恥笑, which carries a much stronger sense of mockery or ridicule. While 偷笑 is often lighthearted or mischievous, 恥笑 is overtly mean-spirited and intended to demean someone.
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.
