zaak3窄
Jyutpingzaak3
Yalejaak
Definition
Narrow, small, or tight.
- narrow; having a small width
- tight-fitting; too small to wear easily
colloquialdescriptionsclothing
How it's used
Beyond physical width, this word frequently describes clothing that fits too tightly against the body. It carries a sense of restriction or lack of breathing room, whether for a vehicle on a road or a person in a pair of trousers. When comparing it to 緊, remember that 緊 focuses on the pressure or tension of the fit, while 窄 focuses on the lack of space or width.
Examples
This alley is very narrow, you need to be careful when walking through.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 窄 with 緊. While both can describe tight clothing, 窄 specifically implies that the item is too small in width or size, whereas 緊 emphasizes that the item is stretched taut against the body.
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.
