to1拖
Jyutpingto1
Yaletō
Definition
To pull, drag, or tow; to delay or procrastinate.
- to pull; to drag; to tow
- to delay; to procrastinate; to drag out
colloquialdaily actionswork
How it's used
Beyond the physical act of pulling, this word is frequently used to describe the act of stalling or procrastinating on tasks or payments. It carries a negative connotation of being intentionally slow or avoidant. When used in the context of relationships, it can also imply dragging someone along in a situation without making a firm commitment.
Examples
Why are you holding onto my hand and not letting go?
The report has been dragged out for a long time and is still not finished.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 拉, which is a more neutral term for pulling. Using 拖 often implies a sense of resistance, heaviness, or an unwelcome delay that is not necessarily present with 拉.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
