ci5 cang4 soeng1 sik1似曾相識似曾相识

Jyutpingci5 cang4 soeng1 sik1

Yalechíh chàhng sēung sīk

語句Common

Definition

To feel familiar; to seem to have met or seen before, as in déjà vu.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe a feeling of familiarity or déjà vu, often when encountering something or someone that triggers a vague memory. While it is a four character idiom, it is frequently used in casual speech by adding the particle 噉 after it to describe the sensation. It is more common to use the simpler phrase 好似見過 when speaking informally, as the idiom carries a slightly more literary or descriptive tone.

Examples

ni1呢go3個jan4人hou2好ci5似ci5似cang4曾soeng1相sik1識，hai6係mai6咪ji5以cin4前gin3見gwo3過？

This person looks familiar, have we met before?

le1呢sau2首go1歌teng1聽lok6落hou2好ci5似zang1曾soeng1相sik1識，hou2好ci5似sai3細go3個teng1聽gwo3過。

This song sounds familiar, I think I heard it when I was young.

Common phrases

gam2感gok3覺ci5似cang4曾soeng1相sik1識

a feeling of déjà vu

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a verb meaning to recognize someone, but it is actually a descriptive phrase for the feeling of familiarity. Do not use it to mean you definitely know someone, as it specifically implies a vague or uncertain recollection.