san1 soeng6身上
Jyutpingsan1 soeng6
Yalesān seuhng
Definition
On one's body, or in one's possession.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on what a person is carrying or wearing at a given moment, rather than their physical anatomy. It is frequently used to discuss whether someone has cash or personal items available for immediate use. When referring to physical sensations or smells, it implies that the quality is currently attached to or emanating from the person.
Examples
Do you still have any money on you?
There is a very unpleasant smell on them.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes refer to one's general state or health. In Cantonese, it is strictly limited to physical possession or things directly on the body surface.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
