zou6 sau2 goek3做手腳做手脚
Jyutpingzou6 sau2 goek3
Yalejouh sáu geuk
Definition
To do something illicit secretly; to tamper with or pull tricks.
colloquialworkmoney
How it's used
Implies a deliberate, often dishonest manipulation of a process or object to gain an unfair advantage. It carries a strong sense of suspicion and is frequently used when someone suspects foul play in financial, technical, or administrative contexts. Unlike simple cheating, it specifically suggests an active, hands on interference.
Examples
Someone tampered with this deal, better be careful.
Related words
Common phrases
to pull strings or tamper behind someone's back
to tamper with a document
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply making a mistake or being clumsy. It specifically denotes intentional, malicious interference rather than accidental error.
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.
