aa3 saang1阿生
Jyutpingaa3 saang1
Yalea sāang
Definition
Mister; a polite way to address a male stranger.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Using 阿生 is a polite and slightly distant way to address a man whose name you do not know. It is common in service settings or when flagging down a stranger in public. Unlike the more formal 先生, this term feels more grounded in local street-level interaction.
Examples
Mister, may I ask if this is the way to the MTR station?
Excuse me Mister, you dropped your wallet.
Related words
Common phrases
Excuse me, Mister
Common mistake
Avoid using this to address someone you are already familiar with, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic depending on the tone. It is strictly for strangers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
