tau2唞
Jyutpingtau2
Yaletáu
Definition
To rest, take a break, or catch one's breath.
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Primarily used to describe catching one's breath after physical exertion or taking a short rest from work. It carries a sense of relief and recovery, often implying that the preceding activity was intense or draining. In casual speech, it is frequently reduplicated as 唞一唞 to soften the tone or suggest a brief duration.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 抖, which is a common typo in written Cantonese. While they share the same sound, 唞 is the correct character for the sense of resting or breathing.
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.
