cin4 sai3前世
Definition
One's past life or previous reincarnation; also used as an interjection referring to sins from a past life.
- previous life; past reincarnation
- sin or bad karma from a past life, often used as an interjection
How it's used
Often used in a lighthearted or dramatic way to explain why someone is currently behaving in a specific manner, especially when they are being exceptionally kind or frustratingly annoying. It frequently appears in the phrase 前世冇修, which implies that someone's current misfortune is a result of bad karma accumulated in a previous existence. The term carries a strong sense of fatalism common in local culture.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 上世, which is a common synonym but can sometimes refer more broadly to the previous generation or a slightly less mystical past. While 前世 is specifically about reincarnation, using it to describe your own parents or grandparents would be incorrect.
Grammar color guide
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.
