jat6 lok6 sai1 saan1日落西山
Jyutpingjat6 lok6 sai1 saan1
Yaleyaht lohk sāi sāan
Definition
To be past one's prime; to be in decline or nearing one's end.
colloquialdescriptionsother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, melancholic tone, often used to describe the inevitable decline of a business, a career, or a once-thriving trend. It is rarely used to describe a person's literal physical death, but rather the fading of their influence or vitality. Speakers use it to signal that a situation has passed its peak and is now in a state of irreversible decay.
Examples
That old shop is past its prime, nobody goes there to patronize it anymore.
Do you think this industry is already on the decline?
Related words
Common phrases
business is on the decline
industry is past its prime
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of the sunset, but it is almost exclusively used metaphorically. Using it to describe a literal sunset would sound overly dramatic and unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
