saang2 seng4省城
Jyutpingsaang2 seng4
Yalesáang sèhng
Definition
Provincial capital; specifically referring to Guangzhou.
- provincial capital
- datedGuangzhou (Canton city)
colloquialplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to Guangzhou, reflecting a historical perspective where Guangzhou was the central hub for people in the Pearl River Delta. While younger generations now mostly use 廣州, older speakers or those from rural areas in the Delta still use this term to denote the city as a major urban center. It carries a slightly nostalgic or traditional nuance compared to the modern name.
Examples
He often went to Guangzhou to play when he was a child.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to any provincial capital in China; it is almost exclusively reserved for Guangzhou in the context of Cantonese speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
