mat6 zat1 sang1 wut6物質生活物质生活
Jyutpingmat6 zat1 sang1 wut6
Yalemaht jāt sāng wuht
Definition
Material life; a lifestyle focused on physical comfort and material possessions.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the quality of life defined by physical comforts and luxury goods. It often carries a slightly critical or philosophical undertone when used to contrast with personal happiness or spiritual fulfillment. It is a formal compound that is frequently used in discussions about societal values or personal priorities.
Examples
He really pursues a materialistic life and buys designer brands all the time.
Do you think a materialistic life is more important, or is a spiritual life more important?
Related words
Common phrases
to pursue a materialistic life
materially abundant life
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply greedy or stingy, as it specifically targets the lifestyle of valuing possessions over other aspects of life. It is not a casual term for having a lot of money.
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.
