san1 sau6身受

Jyutpingsan1 sau6

Yalesān sauh

Definition

To experience personally.

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

Focuses on the visceral or emotional weight of an experience rather than just witnessing it. It is often used to emphasize that someone has gone through a difficult or challenging situation themselves, creating a sense of empathy or shared understanding. It carries a slightly more formal or literary weight compared to everyday verbs, so it is often used when reflecting on significant personal hardships.

Examples

le1呢zung3種tung3痛fu2苦ngo5我zan1真hai6係san1身sau6受。

I really personally experienced this kind of pain.

nei5你si3試gwo3過san1身sau6受go2嗰zung3種aat3壓lik6力mei6未aa4呀？

Have you ever personally experienced that kind of pressure?

Common phrases

san1身sau6受kei4其hoi6害

to personally suffer from it

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the idiom 首當其衝, which refers to bearing the brunt of an attack or disaster. Also, avoid using it for trivial experiences like buying a coffee or taking a bus, as it implies a deeper, more profound level of personal involvement.