zou1 sau6遭受
Jyutpingzou1 sau6
Yalejōu sauh
Definition
To suffer or be subjected to bad treatment or misfortune.
writtendescriptionsother
How it's used
Focuses on negative experiences that are often external or systemic rather than personal choices. It carries a formal tone that is more common in news reports or serious discussions than in casual conversation. When speaking informally, people often prefer using 受到 or 俾人 followed by the negative experience.
Examples
They have suffered a huge blow.
Are you being subjected to unfair treatment?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this for minor inconveniences like a headache or a small mistake, as it implies a significant or severe negative event. It is a transitive verb that requires an object, so it cannot stand alone to describe a general state of suffering.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
