san1 wai4身為身为
Jyutpingsan1 wai4
Yalesān wàih
Definition
As a; acting in the capacity of, or having a certain identity.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Emphasizes the responsibility or expectation that comes with a specific social role or status. It is frequently used when criticizing someone for failing to live up to the duties associated with their position. While it functions as a formal connector, it is widely used in spoken Cantonese to introduce a moral or practical obligation.
Examples
As a friend, I will definitely help you.
As the captain, why aren't you taking the lead?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 身份, which is a noun meaning 'identity' or 'status'. Remember that 身為 acts as a verb phrase meaning 'in the capacity of', whereas 身份 is the noun itself.
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.
