saa1 aa6卅呀
Jyutpingsaa1 aa6
Yalesā ah
Definition
Thirty-something; thirty plus.
colloquialnumberstime
How it's used
This term functions as a vague quantifier for ages in the thirties. It is specifically used to avoid stating an exact age when someone is between thirty and thirty-nine. The particle 呀 acts as a filler that softens the statement and emphasizes the approximation.
Examples
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal number 卅 which simply means thirty. The addition of 呀 is essential to convey the sense of an approximate range rather than the specific number thirty.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
