co5 hei2 san1坐起身
Jyutpingco5 hei2 san1
Yalechóh héi sān
Definition
To sit up, moving from a lying position to a sitting position.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
This phrase specifically describes the physical action of transitioning from a lying position to a seated one. It is commonly used when describing someone waking up in bed or recovering from an illness. Unlike the simple verb 坐, this compound emphasizes the change in posture from horizontal to vertical.
Examples
He is so sick that he doesn't even have the strength to sit up.
Why did you suddenly sit up?
Related words
Common phrases
to sit up slowly
to attempt to sit up
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 坐低, which means to sit down from a standing position. Learners often mix up the directionality of these movements.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
