tok3托
Jyutpingtok3
Yaletok
Definition
To hold up or support something from underneath with one's hands.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of supporting an object from below, this verb is frequently used in the idiom 托腮 to describe the gesture of resting one's chin on the palm of the hand. It implies a sense of upward pressure or lifting, which distinguishes it from simply holding or grabbing something. When used in a metaphorical sense, it can also refer to the act of propping up or sustaining something, such as a price or a failing business.
Examples
Help me hold the box, I'm going to open the door.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 拎 or 攞, which mean to hold or carry something in a general sense. Remember that 托 specifically requires the object to be supported from underneath, rather than gripped or grasped from the sides or top.
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).
