zap1 si1執私执私
Jyutpingzap1 si1
Yalejāp sī
Definition
To confiscate smuggled goods.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
This term is specifically associated with the actions of law enforcement or customs officers intercepting illegal shipments. It carries a sense of official duty and is rarely used to describe private individuals taking things for themselves. The focus is on the act of seizing contraband rather than the legal process that follows.
Examples
Customs confiscated smuggled goods at the pier this morning and caught a lot of cargo.
Do you know why they have to confiscate smuggled goods?
Related words
Common phrases
Customs confiscating smuggled goods
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe general theft or picking up lost items, as it strictly refers to the official seizure of smuggled goods.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
