cip3 si6妾侍
Jyutpingcip3 si6
Yalechip sih
Definition
Concubine; a female spouse with a status lower than that of the principal wives in a polygamous system.
neutralpeoplefamily
How it's used
Refers specifically to a historical social structure that no longer exists in modern legal contexts. It carries a formal or literary tone, often appearing in period dramas or historical discussions rather than casual conversation. Using it to describe modern relationships is considered offensive or derogatory.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Many wealthy men in the past would take concubines.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 偏房, which is a more general term for any secondary wife, whereas 妾侍 specifically highlights the subordinate status of the woman in the household hierarchy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
