Cantonese word of the week: 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4)
This week's word of the week is 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4).
轉頭 (zyun3 tau4) has two meanings.
Literally: 轉 (zyun3) means to turn, and 頭 (taau4) means head. So the word literally means turning the head.
Figuratively: 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4) means later/shortly after. In a sentence, it is placed before the verb/action.
Usage
Scenario 1
You might hear 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4) in 茶餐廳 (caa4 caan1 teng1) a lot. For example, you want to ask for a glass of water, but the waiter's hands are full. You could say:
靚女/靚仔，轉頭比杯水我呀唔該！(leng3 neoi2/leng3 zai, zyun3 tau4 bei2 bui1 seoi2 ngo5 aa1 m4 goi1) -Beautiful lady/ handsome guy (informal way to address people in Hong Kong), please give me a glass of water later!
In this context, 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4) has the meaning of 'when you get a chance'.
Scenario 2
In a call/ conversation, when someone asks you something you are unsure about and need to get back to them afterwards, you can also use 轉頭 (zyun3 tau4).
你星期六得唔得閒？ (nei5 sing1 kei4 luk6 dak1 m4 dak1 haan4) - Are you free on Saturday?
我依家唔肯定，轉頭覆你。 (ngo5 yi1 gaa1 m4 hang2 ding6, zyun3 tau4 fuk1 nei5) - I'm not sure right now, I'll get back to you shortly.
Scenario 3
Additionally, depending on the tone, it can sometimes be used to brush someone/something off.
你洗咗碗未？(nei5 sai2 zo2 wun2 mei6) - Have you washed the dishes yet?
我轉頭洗。(ngo5 zyun3 tau4 sai2) - I'll wash them later.