saat3 sau2 jan4 waan4撒手人寰

Jyutpingsaat3 sau2 jan4 waan4

Yalesaat sáu yàhn wàahn

動詞

Definition

To pass away; to leave the world.

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How it's used

Carries a formal and literary tone, often appearing in news reports or formal obituaries rather than casual conversation. It functions as a euphemism to soften the impact of discussing death, similar to how one might use "depart this life" in English. Using it in everyday chat about friends or family can sound overly dramatic or stiff.

Examples

keoi5佢je4爺je2爺gau6舊nin2年saat3撒sau2手jan4人waan4寰，cyun4全gaa1家jan4人dou1都hou2好soeng1傷sam1心。

His grandfather passed away last year, and the whole family is very sad.

teng1聽gong2講go2嗰wai6位lou5老jan4人gaa1家cam4尋maan5晚saat3撒sau2手jan4人waan4寰laa3喇。

I heard that the elderly person passed away last night.

Common phrases

bat1不hang6幸saat3撒sau2手jan4人waan4寰

unfortunately passed away

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this in casual settings where a simpler term like 走咗 or 過身 is much more natural. It is strictly a formal expression and should be avoided when speaking to close friends or family about personal losses.