拃

Classifier for Handfuls

Level 5Sounds Like zaa3

拃 (zaa6) is a measure word meaning 'a handful.' It describes the amount of something you can physically grip in one hand, like sand, rice, or small objects.

How It Works

1. Classifier for Handfuls and Bunches
As a classifier, 拃 (zaa6) follows the Number + Classifier + Noun structure. It describes:

  • Physical handfuls: 一拃米 (jat1 zaa6 mai5, a handful of rice), 一拃沙 (jat1 zaa6 saa1, a handful of sand).
  • Informal groups: 一拃人 (jat1 zaa6 jan4, a bunch of people). Note that using this for people can sound dismissive or derogatory.
  • Unspecified objects or clutter: 一拃嘢 (jat1 zaa6 je5, a bunch of stuff/junk).

2. Verb: To Block or Obstruct
A colloquial usage is 拃 (zaa6) meaning 'to occupy' or 'to block' space, such as 拃住巷口 (zaa6 zyu6 hong6 hau2, blocking the alleyway). However, it is much less common than 阻 (zo2). While native speakers overwhelmingly use 阻住晒 (zo2 zyu6 saai3) for blocking the way, you will frequently hear 掗住晒 (ngaa6 zyu6 saai3) when an object physically takes up too much space.

3. Measure Word and Verb: Hand-spans (Tone Change)
When 拃 is used as a measure word or verb for measuring something using the span of a hand (from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger or middle finger), the tone typically changes to the 3rd tone (zaa3).

4. Adjective: 掗拃 (ngaa6 zaa6)
The character is part of the very common adjective 掗拃 (ngaa6 zaa6). Literally, it means taking up too much physical space. Figuratively, it describes a person who is pushy, overbearing, or domineering. It is often reduplicated as 掗掗拃拃 (ngaa6 ngaa6 zaa6 zaa6) for emphasis to describe someone exceptionally pushy, bossy, or physically sprawling.

5. Idiomatic Usage
The classifier appears in the famous face-saving proverb 跌落地揦返拃沙 (dit3 lok6 dei6 laa2 faan1 zaa6 saa1), literally 'falling to the ground and grabbing back a handful of sand,' describing someone who makes a desperate excuse to hide their failure. Another extremely common idiom is 偷雞唔到蝕拃米 (tau1 gai1 m4 dou2 sit6 zaa6 mai5), literally 'trying to steal a chicken but losing a handful of rice,' which describes trying to gain a petty advantage but ending up worse off. Note that learners will also frequently hear 蝕揸米 (sit6 zaa1 mai5) or 蝕把米 (sit6 baa2 mai5) as interchangeable variants.

Examples (5)

  1. 佢喺袋入面搲咗一拃米出嚟。

    He took a handful of rice out of the bag.

    Word by Word: He at bag inside take [perfective] one handful rice out come.

    Here, 拃 (zaa6) is used as a classifier for a granular substance (rice) that can be gripped in one hand.

  2. 嗰一拃人喺度做乜嘢呀？

    What is that bunch of people doing?

    Word by Word: That one bunch people at-here do what [particle]?

    拃 (zaa6) can be used for a group or 'bunch' of people, often with an informal or slightly derogatory nuance.

  3. 枱面嗰一拃嘢係邊個㗎？

    Whose is that bunch of stuff on the table?

    Word by Word: Table surface that one bunch stuff is who [particle]?

    Here, 一拃嘢 (jat1 zaa6 je5) is used to refer to a messy pile or bunch of unspecified items. The classifier 拃 is perfect for a cluster of random things.

  4. 張枱有幾拃長？

    How many hand-spans long is the table?

    Word by Word: Piece table have how-many hand-span long?

    When used as a measure word for hand-spans (the distance from thumb to pinky or middle finger), the tone shifts to zaa3. It can also be used as a verb meaning to measure by hand-spans.

  5. 個人咁掗拃，邊個會鍾意佢呀？

    That person is so overbearing, who would like them?

    Word by Word: Piece person so overbearing, which one will like him [particle]?

    The adjective 掗拃 (ngaa6 zaa6) literally means taking up too much space, but is frequently used figuratively to describe someone who is pushy or overbearing.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 拃 (zaa6) for objects with handles.

    一拃遮
    一把遮

    Even though you 'grip' an umbrella handle, objects with handles use the classifier 把 (baa2). 拃 (zaa6) is for loose items held inside the palm.

  • Confusing 拃 (zaa6) with 堆 (deoi1) for large amounts.

    門口有一拃沙。
    門口有一堆沙。

    If the sand is a large pile on the ground, use 堆 (deoi1, pile). Use 拃 (zaa6) only if the amount can fit in a hand.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

拃Level 5Classifier for Handfuls

Learn This First

The pattern 拃 (zaa2) is a specific measure word (classifier) used to describe a 'handful' of something. To use it correctly, learners need to understand the basic Cantonese classifier system and the standard word order for counting nouns (Number + Classifier + Noun).

Words in This Pattern

拃拃拃