手踭
sau2 zaang1
The Cantonese word for elbow is 手踭 (sau2 zaang1).
The word refers to the joint between the upper arm and the forearm.
Meaning: joint between upper arm and forearm (noun)
Which one should you use?
肘頭 is a formal way to say elbow and 臂彎 can also be used to refer to the elbow, literally meaning the bend of the arm.
How do you pronounce it?
sau2 zaang1
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word for elbow, 手踭, literally translates to 'hand heel'.
- The character 踭 in 手踭 is a rare character that is almost exclusively used for the elbow in Cantonese and is not common in standard Mandarin.
- Cantonese uses a specific set of verbs for 'nudging' with the elbow that differ from the verbs used for pushing with a hand.
Examples in context
- 佢手踭好痛。keoi5 sau2 tang2 hou2 tung3.His elbow hurts a lot.
- 唔好用手踭撞人。m4 hou2 jung6 sau2 tang2 zong6 jan4.Don't hit people with your elbow.
Example conversation
Zi Jian and Ya Ting are at the gym.
- 子健 Tsz Kin雅婷，你個手踭係咪唔舒服？jaa5 ting4, nei5 go3 sau2 zai2 hai6 mai6 m4 syu1 fuk6Ya Ting, is your elbow feeling uncomfortable?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting係，我啱啱做運動撞咗手踭。hai6, ngo5 ngaam1 ngaam1 zou6 wan6 dung6 zong6 zo2 sau2 zai2Yes, I just hit my elbow while exercising.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁你要休息下先。gam2 nei5 jiu3 jau1 sik1 haa5 sin1Then you need to rest for a bit.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，我而家去休息。hou2, ngo5 ji1 gaa3 heoi3 jau1 sik1Okay, I'm going to rest now.
