san1 paai4新牌
Jyutpingsan1 paai4
Yalesān pàaih
Definition
A newly licensed driver or professional.
colloquialpeopletransport
How it's used
Often used with the diminutive suffix 仔 to form 新牌仔, which sounds more natural and slightly informal when referring to a person. While it specifically refers to driving licenses, it can occasionally be applied metaphorically to someone who is a complete novice in a new job or environment.
Examples
He just got his license, he is a new driver.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with just being new at a job, as it strongly implies the possession of a formal license or permit that has been held for a short duration.
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.
