ni1 sai3呢世
Jyutpingni1 sai3
Yalenī sai
Definition
This lifetime; the whole of one's life.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Emphasizes the entirety of a lifespan, often used to express strong determination, regret, or a sense of finality. It carries a heavier emotional weight than just saying forever, as it anchors the duration specifically to the speaker's remaining time on earth. It frequently appears in negative constructions to highlight something that will never happen.
Examples
Do you plan to stay here for the rest of your life?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean simply forever or always in a neutral context, as it implies a personal, lifelong commitment or consequence that feels quite dramatic. It is not interchangeable with generic time expressions like 成日 or 一世人.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
