sik6食
Jyutpingsik6
Yalesihk
Definition
To eat; to put food in the mouth, chew it, and swallow it.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Beyond literal consumption, this verb is extremely versatile and frequently appears in idiomatic expressions. It often replaces more specific verbs like 'to absorb', 'to endure', or 'to suffer' depending on the object. For instance, it can describe taking a loss or being on the receiving end of an action.
Examples
Have you eaten yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'to drink' or 'to smoke' in all contexts, though it can sometimes colloquially cover these depending on the object. Learners often mistakenly use it for 'to swallow' when referring to medication, where the specific verb 服 or 吞 is more appropriate.
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.
