sai2 sai2洗洗
Jyutpingsai2 sai2
Yalesái sái
Definition
To wash; to quickly clean something.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Doubling a verb like this softens the tone, making the action sound more casual or like a quick, light task. It implies a brief or informal effort rather than a deep, thorough cleaning. Using this form makes a request sound less like a strict command and more like a friendly suggestion.
Examples
Remember to wash your clothes when you get home.
Why don't you go wash your hands before eating?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this form for heavy-duty cleaning tasks, as it can sound dismissive or overly trivial. It is meant for routine, light actions like rinsing hands or freshening up laundry.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
