dik1 dik1 sik1 sik1的的式式
Jyutpingdik1 dik1 sik1 sik1
Yaledīk dīk sīk sīk
Definition
Small, cute, and exquisite.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This reduplicated form emphasizes the diminutive and endearing nature of an object, often carrying a sense of affection. It is almost exclusively used to describe physical items that are small in a way that is aesthetically pleasing or charming. You will rarely hear it used for people, as it focuses on the scale and craftsmanship of inanimate objects.
Examples
She bought a tiny and cute handbag.
These accessories are so delicate and cute, how lovely!
Related words
Common phrases
delicate little ornaments
tiny and cute gift
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin particle 的, as the reduplication here functions as a single descriptive adjective. It is not a grammatical marker but a specific lexical item for describing size and cuteness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
