sai3 man1 zai2細蚊仔细蚊仔
Jyutpingsai3 man1 zai2
Yalesai mān jái
Definition
A child, kid, or young person.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originating from the phrase 細蚊, which is a phonetic corruption of 細物, this term carries a slightly more affectionate or informal tone than 細路仔. It is frequently used by adults when referring to children in a general sense, often implying a sense of innocence or small stature. While widely understood, it is more common in casual conversation than in formal writing.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
There is a group of kids playing over there.
What snacks did you like to eat when you were a kid?
Related words
Common phrases
as small as a child
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to address a child directly if you want to sound respectful, as it can sometimes come across as condescending or dismissive depending on the tone. It is better used when talking about children in the third person.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



