zat6 goek3窒腳窒脚
Jyutpingzat6 goek3
Yalejaht geuk
Definition
To stop suddenly for a moment while walking; to stumble or halt.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This term specifically describes the physical action of a person's gait being interrupted, often due to an obstacle, a sudden thought, or a stumble. It is rarely used in a metaphorical sense to mean hesitation in speech or decision making, unlike other words for stopping or pausing.
Examples
He suddenly stopped mid-stride while walking and scared me to death.
Why did you stop suddenly while walking? Are you feeling unwell?
Related words
Common phrases
to stop suddenly while walking
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 窒息, which means to suffocate or choke. Also, avoid using it to describe a car or machine stalling, as it is strictly for human walking motion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.



