saan1 jau1山丘
Jyutpingsaan1 jau1
Yalesāan yāu
Definition
Hill, hillock, or mound.
neutralnature
How it's used
Refers specifically to a small, rounded elevation of land that is noticeably lower than a mountain. While it is a standard term, it is rarely used in casual conversation because people usually just use 山 to describe any elevated terrain regardless of size. It sounds slightly more descriptive or geographical than everyday speech.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Can you see that hillock in front?
Related words
Common phrases
green hillock
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a large mountain, as it specifically implies a small, gentle rise. If you are unsure about the size, sticking with 山 is safer and more natural in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



