tau2 haa5唞吓
Jyutpingtau2 haa5
Yaletáu háh
Definition
To take a break or have a rest.
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to taking a short break to recover energy rather than a long period of sleep or vacation. It is often used to suggest a pause in physical labor or intense mental activity. The character 吓 acts as a verbal particle to indicate a brief or casual duration of the action.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 休息 which is a more formal or neutral term for rest. Using 唞吓 in a professional email or formal report would sound overly casual or unprofessional.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
