zaak3矺
Jyutpingzaak3
Yalejaak
Definition
To press down steadily, or a historical method of torture where limbs are severed.
- to press down steadily
- archaica historical torture where limbs are severed
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond its historical association with torture, this word is frequently used in everyday life to describe pinning something down with weight. It implies a sustained, heavy pressure rather than a quick tap or push. You will often hear it used when someone is trying to keep loose items from blowing away or when a limb is trapped under a heavy object.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 壓, which is a more general term for pressure. 矺 specifically carries the nuance of pinning something down to keep it fixed or immobile, often using a heavy object as a weight.
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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.
