jat1 sin3一線一线
Jyutpingjat1 sin3
Yaleyāt sin
Definition
A very small quantity of; a sliver or thread of something.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in abstract contexts involving hope, light, or opportunity. It functions as a quantifier for intangible concepts rather than physical objects. When describing physical thinness or small amounts of material, other terms like 一點 or 一絲 are preferred.
Examples
He still has a sliver of hope that he can win.
There is still a tiny chance of a turnaround for this matter.
Related words
Common phrases
a sliver of hope for survival
a glimmer of hope
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical quantities like a small amount of water or food, as it sounds unnatural and overly dramatic. It is reserved for metaphorical situations where something is barely hanging on.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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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).
