san1 gaa1 sing3 ming6身家性命
Jyutpingsan1 gaa1 sing3 ming6
Yalesān gā sing mihng
Definition
One's life and family possessions; all that one owns and holds dear.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This expression functions as an idiomatic compound representing one's entire existence, encompassing both personal safety and financial assets. It is frequently used in high stakes contexts where someone is making a desperate or total commitment to a risky venture. The term carries a dramatic weight, often implying that losing the gamble would mean losing everything that makes life worth living.
Examples
He gambled his entire life and fortune on it.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to refer to a person's family members, but it strictly refers to one's own life and personal wealth. It is not used to describe the lives of one's relatives.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
