zat6 hau2 zat6 sit6窒口窒舌
Jyutpingzat6 hau2 zat6 sit6
Yalejaht háu jaht siht
Definition
To stutter, stammer, or speak hesitantly due to nervousness or guilt.
colloquialcommunicationemotion
How it's used
This expression specifically captures the physical inability to speak fluently due to nervousness, anxiety, or guilt. It is more descriptive and vivid than simply saying 講嘢唔順，often implying that the speaker is hiding something or feeling extremely flustered. You will frequently hear it used when someone is being interrogated or put on the spot.
Examples
He stammers nervously whenever he sees his crush.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak in a stammering, nervous manner
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with physical speech impediments or medical conditions, as it is strictly used to describe a temporary state of nervousness or hesitation in social situations.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
