sai3 gu3世故
Jyutpingsai3 gu3
Yalesai gu
Definition
Worldly-wise, sophisticated, and socially tactful.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who has mastered the art of social navigation and understands the unspoken rules of human interaction. While it can imply a positive ability to handle complex situations, it often carries a subtle undertone of being overly calculating or having lost one's youthful innocence. It is rarely used to describe someone who is genuinely naive or straightforward.
Examples
He is very worldly-wise and knows how to read people well.
You are so young yet so sophisticated, that is truly impressive.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean simply experienced or knowledgeable in a technical field. It specifically refers to social maturity and the ability to manage interpersonal relationships, not professional expertise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
