sai3 taai3世態世态
Jyutpingsai3 taai3
Yalesai taai
Definition
The ways of the world, or the general state of human society.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the fickle or cold nature of human relationships and social interactions. It is almost exclusively used in the context of feeling disillusioned or cynical about how people treat one another when circumstances change. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless the speaker is reflecting on a negative life experience.
Examples
Seeing the coldness of the world, it really makes one feel disheartened.
Having experienced so much of the world, they have become very tactful.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the general word for society, 社會. 世態 specifically refers to the shifting attitudes and behaviors of people, rather than the structure or institutions of society itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
