saang1 seng3生鍟
Jyutpingsaang1 seng3
Yalesāang seng
Definition
To rust or become rusty.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Pronounced as sang1 sau3, this term is specifically used for the oxidation of metal. While standard written Chinese uses 生鏽, Cantonese speakers often use this specific character variant or pronunciation to describe the physical state of decay on iron or steel objects. It is common to hear it used with the aspect marker 咗 or the particle 晒 to emphasize that the object is completely covered in rust.
Examples
The bike is all rusty, need to get a new one.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse the pronunciation with the Mandarin equivalent. In Cantonese, the second character is read with a distinct tone that differs from standard Mandarin, so avoid using the Mandarin pronunciation when speaking locally.
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.
