zap1 dou2 bou2執到寶执到宝
Jyutpingzap1 dou2 bou2
Yalejāp dóu bóu
Definition
To find something interesting or valuable by chance.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Often used sarcastically to describe someone who is overly excited about something that is actually worthless or problematic. It implies a sense of luck that might be misguided or fleeting. While it literally refers to finding a treasure, it is frequently applied to interpersonal relationships or bad deals.
Examples
He is as happy as if he found a treasure, turns out he just found some money.
Related words
Common phrases
like finding a treasure
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 執嘢 which simply means to tidy up or pick things up. The phrase is strictly idiomatic and refers to the feeling of sudden, unexpected gain.
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.
