zau3皺皱
Jyutpingzau3
Yalejau
Definition
To wrinkle, pucker, or furrow; to contract the muscles and skin of the face to form temporary folds.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Beyond describing facial expressions like frowning, this word is frequently used to describe fabric that has lost its smoothness. When used for clothing, it often appears with the particle 晒 to emphasize that the entire surface is covered in creases. It functions as both a verb for the action of wrinkling and an adjective for the resulting state.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 摺, which refers to intentional folding or pleating. While 皺 implies an untidy or accidental creasing, 摺 is usually a deliberate action to organize or store items.
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.
