zap1執执
Jyutpingzap1
Yalejāp
Definition
To pick up or gather; to tidy or pack up.
- to pick up or retrieve an object
- to tidy, neaten, pack, or organize
colloquialdaily actionshome
How it's used
Beyond the literal act of picking something up from the ground, this word is the go to verb for tidying or organizing a space. It implies restoring order to a chaotic or cluttered environment. When used in the context of business or shops, it can also carry the nuance of closing down or going out of business.
Examples
There is a piece of paper on the floor, please pick it up for me.
Related words
Common phrases
to pack things up
to clean up someone else's mess
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 拎, which simply means to hold or carry something. While 執 implies picking something up from a surface or tidying up, 拎 focuses on the act of taking hold of an object to move it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
