jau3 siu2幼小
Jyutpingjau3 siu2
Yaleyau síu
Definition
Very young; little.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
幼小 is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe the tender age of a child. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use 細 or 細個 to express the same concept. Using 幼小 in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or like a line from a written storybook.
Examples
He is still very young and doesn't know how to think about so many things.
Why do you have to bully such a young child?
Related words
Common phrases
young/tender heart or mind
young life
Common mistake
Learners often mistake 幼小 for a general term for small size, but it specifically refers to age. Use 細 or 細粒 to describe physical size instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
