手
sau²
The Cantonese word for hand is 手 (sau²).
The term 手 refers to the part of the fore limb. To specify the palm of the hand, you use 手掌. You can also use the term 親手 to emphasize that an action was done personally or with one's own hands rather than by someone else.
Meaning: part of the fore limb (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting hands, you must use the classifier 隻 (zek3) before the noun, as in 隻手. To indicate both hands, use the word 雙 (soeng1), meaning 'pair', to form 雙手.
How do you pronounce it?
sau²
Did you know?
- The classifier 隻 (zek3) used for 手 is the same one used for birds and cats, reflecting an ancient way of categorizing limbs and animals.
- In Cantonese gambling culture, a 'lucky hand' is referred to using 手氣, which literally means 'hand air' or 'hand energy'.
- The phrase 手軟 (soft hand) does not describe the texture of the skin, but rather a sudden loss of courage or strength to perform a violent act.
Examples in context
- 佢捉實我隻手。She held on to my hand tightly.This sentence shows how to express someone holding a hand using 手.Tatoeba #393208 by nickyeow, translation #314344 by CK
- 佢捉住我隻手。He caught hold of my hand.This sentence demonstrates the action of catching hold of a hand using 手.Tatoeba #5355364 by nickyeow, translation #297885 by CK
- 呢個係咪你親手縫㗎？Did you sew this by hand?This sentence illustrates the use of 手 in the context of doing something by hand.Tatoeba #787388 by nickyeow, translation #54949 by CK
- 帮我拎一下好嘛？ (bong1 ngo5 ling1 jat1 haa5 hou2 maa3?)Can you hold this for me, please?
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
The two are walking together in a park.
- 子健 Tsz Kin曉彤，你隻手好凍啊。hiu tung, nei zek sau hou dong aa.Hiu Tung, your hand is very cold.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係啊，我唔太鍾意冬天。hai aa, ngo m taai zung ji dung tin.Yes, I don't like winter very much.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁你將隻手擺喺我袋入面。gam nei zoeng zek sau baai hai ngo doi jap min.Then put your hand inside my pocket.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung多謝你，子健。do ze nei, zi gin.Thank you, Zi Kin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hand” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
