saan1 nai4山泥
Jyutpingsaan1 nai4
Yalesāan nàih
Definition
Soil on a hillside or slope, typically referred to in the context of landslides.
colloquialnatureweather
How it's used
Primarily appears in the context of safety warnings and news reports regarding heavy rainfall. While it refers to the physical soil on a slope, it is almost exclusively used in the compound 山泥傾瀉 to describe the geological event of a landslide. It is rarely used to describe soil in a gardening or agricultural sense.
Measure word
deoi1堆dēuiExamples
It is very easy for landslides to happen after heavy rain.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general soil or dirt, which is usually referred to as 泥土 or 泥沙. Using 山泥 to describe potting soil or dirt on the ground in a park will sound unnatural and confusing to locals.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
