tok3 sau2 zaang1托手㬹

Jyutpingtok3 sau2 zaang1

Yaletok sáu jāang

Definition

To reject or turn down someone's request or plea for help.

colloquialbodypeople

How it's used

This expression vividly describes the action of pushing someone's hand away when they offer something or ask for a favor. It carries a sense of abruptness or unhelpfulness, often implying that the person being asked had the ability to help but chose not to. It is specifically used for rejecting requests or offers of assistance rather than general refusals.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好sam1心bong1幫nei5你，nei5你m4唔hou2好tok3托sau2手㬹zaang1呀。

He is kind enough to help you, don't turn him down.

ngo5我wan2搵keoi5佢bong1幫sau2手，dim2點zi1知keoi5佢tok3托ngo5我sau2手㬹。

I asked him for help, but he turned me down.

Common phrases

tok3托jan4人sau2手㬹

to turn someone down

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with general rejection words like 拒絕, but 托手㬹 is strictly reserved for social interactions involving favors or help. It cannot be used for declining an invitation or a formal proposal.