waan5 sau2挽手
Jyutpingwaan5 sau2
Yalewáahn sáu
Definition
To hold hands or walk arm in arm.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
While 挽手 can refer to holding hands, it is frequently used to describe linking arms, especially when walking together. It carries a slightly more formal or intimate nuance compared to the more common 拖手, which is the standard term for holding hands in a romantic context. You will often see this term used in descriptions of formal events or when someone is offering their arm for support.
Examples
They both like to hold hands when they go out.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 拖手, which is the default way to say holding hands. Using 挽手 in a casual setting might sound slightly more elegant or old-fashioned than intended.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
