sam1 sik1心息
Jyutpingsam1 sik1
Yalesām sīk
Definition
To give up hope; to have no more illusions about someone or something.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
This term carries a sense of emotional resignation or the final extinguishing of hope after repeated disappointment. It is often used when someone finally accepts that a situation will not change, regardless of their efforts. It implies a transition from persistent striving to a state of acceptance or detachment.
Examples
You have failed so many times, are you still not ready to give up?
He has completely given up on this job and plans to resign next month.
Related words
Common phrases
completely give up hope
still not willing to give up
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 死心, which is a stronger, more permanent state of having one's heart completely dead to a person or hope. While they are similar, 心息 can sometimes imply a more gradual process of letting go.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
