zaa3榨
Jyutpingzaa3
Yaleja
Definition
To squeeze, press, or extract juice; also to exploit.
- to squeeze, press, or extract liquid
- to oppress or exploit
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal act of extracting juice from fruit, this verb is frequently used metaphorically to describe the exploitation of resources, time, or energy. When applied to people, it implies a harsh or relentless pressure to produce results until nothing is left. It carries a negative connotation of being drained or used up.
Examples
Could you squeeze a glass of orange juice for me to drink?
He is always squeezing the life out of his employees' time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 擠, which is used for squeezing things like toothpaste or pushing through a crowd. 榨 specifically implies the extraction of liquid or the total depletion of a resource.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
