jan1 si1恩師恩师
Jyutpingjan1 si1
Yaleyān sī
Definition
A revered teacher to whom a student owes a debt of gratitude.
neutralpeopleschool
How it's used
This term carries a deep sense of gratitude and respect, implying that the teacher has significantly shaped the student's character or life path. It is almost exclusively used to refer to someone else, as using it for oneself would sound arrogant or self-important. It is reserved for teachers who have provided guidance beyond just academic instruction.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
She is my mentor, she taught me so many things.
Related words
Common phrases
respect one's mentor
always remember one's mentor
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe any teacher you have had in school. It is reserved for those who have had a profound, life-changing impact on you, similar to a mentor.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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).



