tau2敨

Jyutpingtau2

Yaletáu

Definition

To rest, catch one's breath, or to unfold and open up something.

to rest; to take a break; to catch one's breath
to unfold or open up

colloquialdaily actionshealth

How it's used

Commonly used to describe taking a short break or catching one's breath after physical exertion. It carries a sense of relief and recovery, often paired with the particle 吓 to soften the tone and imply a brief duration. It is rarely used in formal writing, where 休息 is preferred.

Common phrases

tau2抖zan6陣

to take a short break

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 抖, which is the standard character used in writing for the meaning of rest, whereas 敨 is the specific, more traditional character for the action of unfolding or opening up, though they are frequently conflated in modern typing.