bat1 san6不慎
Jyutpingbat1 san6
Yalebāt sahn
Definition
Carelessly, accidentally, or inadvertently.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
While 不慎 exists in written Chinese, it is rarely used in spoken Cantonese. Native speakers almost exclusively use 唔小心 to convey the same meaning. Using 不慎 in daily conversation will sound overly formal or like you are reading from a news report.
Related words
Common phrases
a moment of carelessness
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 不慎 as a direct translation for careless, but it lacks the natural flow of 唔小心. Avoid using it in casual settings to prevent sounding stiff or unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
