ceoi4 ceoi4徐徐
Jyutpingceoi4 ceoi4
Yalechèuih chèuih
Definition
Slowly and steadily.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
徐徐 carries a literary or formal tone that is rarely used in casual, everyday speech. It implies a graceful or deliberate pace rather than just simple slowness. When used in spoken Cantonese, it is almost always followed by the particle 咁 to function as an adverbial modifier.
Examples
He walked in slowly and steadily, looking like he was in no rush.
Related words
Common phrases
rising slowly and steadily
unfolding slowly and steadily
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common everyday word, but it sounds quite elegant or bookish in conversation. For standard, everyday situations, 慢慢 is the much more natural and common choice.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
