sai6 sei2誓死
Jyutpingsai6 sei2
Yalesaih séi
Definition
To vow to do something even at the cost of one's life; to pledge to the death.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Carries a heavy, dramatic weight that is often used hyperbolically in daily life to express extreme stubbornness or unwavering commitment. While it literally implies dying for a cause, it frequently appears in arguments or intense discussions where someone refuses to back down from a stance. It sounds quite intense, so using it for trivial matters can come across as overly theatrical or sarcastic.
Examples
He is determined to find his cat, even if it costs him his life.
Are you really going to die on this hill and refuse to admit you are wrong?
Related words
Common phrases
to refuse to yield even at the cost of one's life
to defend something to the death
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply saying you are determined, as it specifically invokes the imagery of death. Using it for minor daily tasks like finishing a report or buying groceries will sound bizarrely melodramatic to native speakers.
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.
