saam1 zi6 ging1三字經三字经
Jyutpingsaam1 zi6 ging1
Yalesāam jih gīng
Definition
The Three Character Classic, a traditional Chinese primer written in three-character rhyming verses for easy memorization.
neutralschoolother
How it's used
While referring to the historical text, the term is also used metaphorically in casual speech to describe someone swearing or using profanity. When someone says someone else is "背三字經", they are often implying that the person is cursing or shouting vulgarities rather than reciting the classic text.
Measure word
bun2本búnExamples
When I was small, my mom forced me to recite the Three Character Classic.
Do you know what the first line of the Three Character Classic is?
Related words
Common phrases
to recite the Three Character Classic
Common mistake
Be careful not to confuse the literal educational text with the slang usage meaning to curse or swear, as the context is usually quite different.
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.
