zi6 sau2自首
Jyutpingzi6 sau2
Yalejih sáu
Definition
To surrender oneself to the police and confess to a crime.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term carries a formal and serious tone, typically reserved for legal or criminal contexts. It implies a voluntary act of taking responsibility for a wrongdoing rather than being caught by authorities. While it is a standard term in news reports, using it in casual conversation often adds a dramatic or slightly humorous flair when discussing minor mistakes.
Examples
He did something wrong, it is best he goes to surrender himself soon.
When are you planning to go to the police station to surrender?
Related words
Common phrases
go to the police station to surrender
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general confession or admitting a mistake, but it specifically implies turning oneself in to the police or legal authorities. Do not use it for admitting to a personal secret or a minor social faux pas.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
