sai1犀
Jyutpingsai1
Yalesāi
Definition
Rhinoceros; sharp, well-trained, or strong.
- rhinoceros
- literarysharp; well-trained; strong
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in the compound form 犀利 to describe someone who is talented, impressive, or formidable. While the character itself refers to a rhinoceros, it is never used in that sense in modern spoken Cantonese. It functions as a versatile adjective for anything from a person's skill to the intensity of a storm or pain.
Examples
He is really skilled at gaming.
How come you are so impressive?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use the single character 犀 alone, but it is effectively obsolete as a standalone word in spoken Cantonese. Always use the full compound 犀利 to convey the meaning of being skilled or intense.
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.
