waan1 jiu1彎腰弯腰
Jyutpingwaan1 jiu1
Yalewāan yīu
Definition
To bend down; to bend one's upper body forward from the waist.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Focus on the physical action of pivoting at the waist rather than squatting down. It is commonly used when reaching for something on the floor or performing a polite bow. When someone is physically exhausted or in pain, you might describe them as 彎住腰行路 to indicate a hunched posture.
Examples
He bent down to pick up the keys he dropped on the floor.
Be careful when you bend down, don't hurt your back.
Related words
Common phrases
bend down to pick something up
stooped and hunched back
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 踎低 which specifically means to squat down. Using 彎腰 when you actually need to lower your entire body by bending your knees can sound unnatural or physically impossible depending on the context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
