san1 fo2 soeng1 cyun4薪火相傳薪火相传
Jyutpingsan1 fo2 soeng1 cyun4
Yalesān fó sēung chyùhn
Definition
To pass down traditions, knowledge, values, or customs from generation to generation or from teacher to student.
neutralother
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and literary weight, often appearing in speeches, ceremonies, or discussions about cultural preservation. It evokes a sense of duty and continuity, suggesting that what is being passed on is precious and vital to the community. While it can be used in daily conversation, it is typically reserved for serious topics rather than trivial matters.
Examples
We must pass this spirit down to the next generation.
How do you think this craft can be passed on?
Related words
Common phrases
the spirit is passed on
dedicated to passing on the tradition
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for passing physical objects like money or food, but it is strictly reserved for abstract concepts like knowledge, skills, values, or traditions.
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.
