sai3 jan4世人
Jyutpingsai3 jan4
Yalesai yàhn
Definition
People of the world; humanity; common people.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Carries a slightly formal or literary tone, often appearing in philosophical, religious, or moral discussions. It contrasts with everyday terms like 人 or 大家 by framing humanity as a collective entity observing or experiencing life. It is rarely used in casual, mundane conversation about specific individuals.
Examples
Common people are always chasing fame and fortune.
How do people in the world view this matter?
Related words
Common phrases
known to everyone in the world
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to a specific group of people you are talking to, as it sounds overly dramatic or poetic. Use 大家 or 啲人 for general references in daily speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
