saat3 gaai3殺戒杀戒
Jyutpingsaat3 gaai3
Yalesat gai
Definition
Prohibition against taking life
neutralother
How it's used
Primarily associated with Buddhist or Taoist contexts, this term refers to the formal vow or religious rule forbidding the taking of life. It is often used metaphorically in daily life to describe someone who has been avoiding a certain activity, such as eating meat or engaging in a competitive habit, but finally decides to indulge.
Examples
keoi5 wai6 zo2 sau1 hang6 kyut3 ding6 jiu3 po3 saat3 gaai3
佢為咗修行，決定要破殺戒。
For the sake of his spiritual practice, he decided to break the prohibition against killing.
nei5 zou6 cyu4 si1 hai6 mai6 jat1 ding6 jiu3 po3 saat3 gaai3 gaa4
你做廚師係咪一定要破殺戒㗎？
Do you necessarily have to break the prohibition against killing if you are a chef?
Related words
Common phrases
po3 saat3 gaai3
破殺戒
to break the prohibition against killing
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general words for killing like 殺生, as 殺戒 specifically refers to the religious or moral vow itself rather than the act of killing.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
