seon3信

Jyutpingseon3

Yaleseun

Very common

Definition

To promise; to keep a promise.

colloquialcommunicationdaily actions

How it's used

Functions primarily as a verb meaning to trust or believe, but also carries the weight of a solemn promise or pledge when used in formal compounds. While it can mean promise in a literary sense, native speakers typically use 應承 or 許諾 for the act of making a promise in daily life. Using it as a noun for promise is restricted to specific set phrases like 信誓.

Examples

nei5你gong2講gwo3過seon3信ngo5我㗎，gaa3唔m4好hou2反faan2口hau2呀。

You promised to trust me, don't go back on your word.

keoi5佢seon3信zo2咗ngo5我wui2會bong1幫keoi5佢，so2所ji5以hou2好fong3放sam1心。

He trusted that I would help him, so he is very relieved.

Common phrases

trustworthy

seon3信sai6誓daan3旦daan3旦

to make a solemn pledge

Common mistake

Learners often confuse the verb 信 meaning to trust with the noun 信 meaning a letter, which is a completely different character in terms of semantic origin despite the identical written form.