ziu3 saat3照殺照杀
Jyutpingziu3 saat3
Yalejiu saat
Definition
To reluctantly accept or do something despite non-ideal conditions, due to having no other choice.
colloquialdaily actionsslang
How it's used
Originating from gambling slang where a player accepts a losing hand or a disadvantageous bet, this term has evolved into a common way to express reluctant compromise. It conveys a sense of pragmatic resignation, implying that while the situation is far from perfect, it is better than having nothing at all. It is frequently used in scenarios involving food orders, job offers, or last minute plan changes.
Examples
No seats? I'll just eat standing up, it's fine.
Even though the pay is a bit low, will you just take the job for now?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal killing or violence. Despite the inclusion of the character 殺, it carries no aggressive meaning in this context and is strictly about accepting a suboptimal outcome.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
