zaak6 ceoi2摘取
Jyutpingzaak6 ceoi2
Yalejaahk chéui
Definition
To pick, pluck, or harvest fruit or flowers.
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How it's used
While 摘取 is understood in Cantonese, it sounds quite formal or literary, often appearing in written descriptions or news reports about agriculture. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use 摘 to describe the act of picking fruit or flowers. Using 摘取 in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a textbook or a formal document.
Examples
He picked a lot of apples in the orchard.
Can you help me pick a few flowers?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 摘取 for a general word for taking things, but it is strictly limited to harvesting or plucking items like fruit, flowers, or leaves. It cannot be used for picking up objects like a book or a pen, for which you should use 攞.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
