sam1 lei5心理
Jyutpingsam1 lei5
Yalesām léih
Definition
Mentality, state of mind, or psychological state; sometimes refers to one's emotions.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the internal state or psychological disposition of a person rather than just their thoughts. It is frequently paired with 質素 to describe mental resilience or toughness. When used in casual conversation, it often carries a slightly critical tone, implying that someone's behavior is strange or difficult to comprehend.
Examples
Their mental state is very strong; they are not afraid of any pressure.
What kind of mentality are you in to do things like this?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a direct translation for the English word mind in all contexts. For example, if you want to say you have something on your mind, it is more natural to use 心事 instead of 心理.
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.
