sam1 hau2心口
Jyutpingsam1 hau2
Yalesām háu
Definition
Chest; breast; the area below the neck and above the belly.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the front part of the upper torso, often used when describing physical sensations like pain or tightness. It is the standard term for chest in casual conversation, whereas the more formal term 胸口 is also understood but feels slightly more clinical or literary. It is frequently used in idiomatic expressions related to emotions or courage, such as describing someone as having a clear conscience or being brave.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
His chest hurts a lot, he needs to see a doctor right away.
Related words
Common phrases
chest pain
to beat one's chest (to promise or guarantee something)
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the heart organ itself, which is 心臟. While 心口 literally contains the character for heart, it refers to the external body part, not the internal organ.
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.
