sam1 si6心事
Jyutpingsam1 si6
Yalesām sih
Definition
Something weighing on one's mind; worries or private concerns.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Refers specifically to personal, often private, concerns or emotional burdens that someone is keeping to themselves. It implies a sense of preoccupation where the person is distracted by their internal thoughts. It is rarely used for trivial tasks or simple to-do lists, focusing instead on deeper emotional weight.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
Do you have something on your mind that is making you unhappy?
He is always weighed down with worries, as if he has a lot of troubles.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a simple task or a work assignment, as it implies an emotional or psychological burden rather than a logistical one.
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.
