maan6 sau6 mou4 goeng1萬壽無疆万寿无疆
Jyutpingmaan6 sau6 mou4 goeng1
Yalemaahn sauh mòuh gēung
Definition
May you enjoy boundless longevity; a traditional blessing wishing someone long life.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
Reserved almost exclusively for formal birthday greetings or ceremonial contexts, this idiom carries a heavy, almost imperial tone. It is rarely used in casual conversation among friends, as it sounds overly dramatic or even slightly sarcastic when applied to everyday life. Most people prefer simpler, more natural wishes like 福如東海 or 身體健康.
Examples
Wishing you boundless longevity and good health.
Using this phrase to wish someone boundless longevity seems a bit too exaggerated.
Related words
Common phrases
Wishing you boundless longevity
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard birthday greeting, but it is far too grand and archaic for a typical party; using it for a peer can sound like you are mocking them or treating them like an ancient emperor.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
