jau1 soeng1憂傷忧伤
Jyutpingjau1 soeng1
Yaleyāu sēung
Definition
Sad, sorrowful, or distressed.
writtenemotion
How it's used
Literary terms like this are rarely used in casual daily speech, where people prefer 唔開心 or 傷心. Using it in a normal conversation can make you sound like you are reciting a poem or reading from a novel. It is best reserved for writing or when you want to emphasize a deep, poetic sense of melancholy.
Examples
He looks very sorrowful.
Why are you so sad today?
Related words
Common phrases
to show sorrow on one's face
a sorrowful expression
Common mistake
Learners often use this word in everyday situations where it sounds overly dramatic or unnatural. Stick to 唔開心 for common sadness to avoid sounding like a character in a period drama.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
