saan1 siu1山魈
Jyutpingsaan1 siu1
Yalesāan sīu
Definition
Mandrill; a large Old World monkey native to west-central Africa.
neutralanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the primate with the distinctively colorful face and rump. While often used in biological contexts, it is also occasionally used metaphorically to describe someone with a very fierce or intimidating appearance.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
That mandrill at the zoo seems to be throwing a tantrum.
Related words
Common phrases
mandrill-like face
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.
