sai6 sai3逝世
Jyutpingsai6 sai3
Yalesaih sai
Definition
To pass away; to die.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Reserved for formal contexts like news reports, obituaries, or respectful conversation about someone who has died. Using this in casual settings can sound overly stiff or detached, as if you are reading from a script. For everyday speech, people typically prefer phrases like 過身 or 走咗.
Examples
His grandfather passed away last year.
I heard that writer just passed away.
Related words
Common phrases
passed away due to illness
unfortunately passed away
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe the death of pets or casual acquaintances, as it carries a level of formality and gravity that would feel out of place. It is strictly reserved for human beings.
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.
