zam1 caa4 jing6 co3斟茶認錯斟茶认错
Jyutpingzam1 caa4 jing6 co3
Yalejām chàh yihng cho
Definition
To formally and sincerely apologize to someone.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers to a traditional ritual where one serves tea to a superior or an offended party as a gesture of deep respect and contrition. While it implies a formal apology, it is often used sarcastically in modern contexts to mock someone who is forced to swallow their pride. It carries a heavy cultural weight, suggesting that the apology is not just verbal but involves a symbolic act of submission.
Examples
He did something wrong and needs to formally apologize.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for casual apologies like sorry or 唔好意思. It is reserved for serious situations where a formal, ritualistic reconciliation is expected.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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.
