jing1 nin4 zou2 sai6英年早逝
Jyutpingjing1 nin4 zou2 sai6
Yaleyīng nìhn jóu saih
Definition
To die young; to die in one's prime.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
This is a formal idiom used to express deep regret or sorrow regarding someone's untimely death. It is typically reserved for eulogies, news reports, or serious conversations about historical figures or public personalities. Using it in casual, everyday small talk about someone you know personally can sound overly dramatic or stiff.
Examples
He was so talented, it is a pity he died so young.
Related words
Common phrases
to make people feel regretful
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say someone died young, but it carries a heavy, literary tone that is inappropriate for lighthearted or informal contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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).
