san1 syu1新書新书
Jyutpingsan1 syu1
Yalesān syū
Definition
New book
neutralschool
How it's used
Refers specifically to a book that has been recently purchased or published. While it functions as a noun, it is almost always paired with the classifier 本 to indicate a specific item. It carries a sense of freshness or novelty, often implying the speaker is excited to start reading it.
Measure word
bun2本búnExamples
He bought a new book and brought it home to read.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget to include the classifier 本 when referring to a specific book, which makes the sentence sound incomplete in Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
