saang1 jat6 lai5 mat6生日禮物生日礼物
Jyutpingsaang1 jat6 lai5 mat6
Yalesāang yaht láih maht
Definition
Birthday gift; birthday present.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Focus on the sincerity of the gesture rather than the monetary value when discussing gifts in Cantonese culture. It is common to use the classifier 份 when referring to gifts, emphasizing the package or the sentiment behind the item.
Measure word
fan2份fánExamples
What birthday gift did you buy for him/her?
This birthday gift is very thoughtful.
Related words
Common phrases
to give a birthday gift
to receive a birthday gift
Common mistake
Avoid using the Mandarin classifier 個 for gifts, as 份 is the standard and natural choice for abstract or physical presents in Cantonese.
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.
