tok3 sau2 zaang1托手踭
Jyutpingtok3 sau2 zaang1
Yaletok sáu jāang
Definition
To refuse to help, especially when declining a request from a friend or acquaintance.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This expression vividly describes the physical act of pushing someone away with one's elbow, which has evolved into a common idiom for rejecting a request for a favor. It carries a sense of disappointment or indignation, as it is typically used when the person being asked is someone who should reasonably be expected to help. It is most effective when used to call out someone for being unhelpful or stingy with their support.
Examples
I asked him for help, but he turned me down.
Related words
Common phrases
to refuse someone's request
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase for formal rejections or professional denials, as it is strictly colloquial and implies a personal relationship between the parties involved.
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.
