to4跎
Jyutpingto4
Yaletòh
Definition
To stumble, slip, or vacillate.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Often used in the reduplicated form 跎吓跎吓 to describe a hesitant or unstable physical movement. It captures the feeling of being indecisive or physically unsteady, making it a vivid way to describe someone who is dragging their feet or failing to commit to a path.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 拖, which means to drag or delay, but 跎 specifically emphasizes the instability or the back and forth nature of the movement or decision.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
