sam2 san6審慎审慎
Jyutpingsam2 san6
Yalesám sahn
Definition
Cautious, circumspect, and careful; thinking things through thoroughly.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a formal and professional weight, often appearing in news reports, financial discussions, or official statements. It describes a state of being deliberate and thoughtful rather than just being careful in a physical sense. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound slightly detached or overly serious.
Examples
He is very cautious when making decisions.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 小心, but 小心 is a general term for being careful or watching out for danger, whereas 審慎 implies a high level of critical thinking and strategic evaluation before taking action.
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.
