zaa3搾
Jyutpingzaa3
Yaleja
Definition
To extract liquid from a wet substance by compressing or twisting it; to squeeze.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Primarily used for extracting liquid from fruits or vegetables, but also commonly applied to wringing out wet fabrics like towels or clothes. It carries a sense of physical effort and pressure, often implying that the object is being compressed until it is dry or empty. In some contexts, it can metaphorically describe someone being exploited for money or labor.
Examples
Could you squeeze a glass of orange juice for me?
He squeezed the towel dry with a lot of force.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for squeezing people or objects in a friendly way, such as hugging or squeezing a stress ball, as those actions are better described by 撳 or 揸.
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.
