san4 ling4神靈神灵
Jyutpingsan4 ling4
Yalesàhn lìhng
Definition
Gods, deities, or spirits in mythology, religion, and ancient legends who possess supernatural powers.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to divine or supernatural beings often associated with traditional religious practices or folk beliefs. It carries a sense of reverence and is distinct from the more casual use of 神 to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled at a task. You will hear it most frequently in contexts involving temples, rituals, or discussions about spiritual protection.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
They go to the temple to worship the gods and pray for good health.
This place seems to be protected by gods, it has always been very peaceful.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the slang usage of 神, which describes a person who is a genius or highly skilled at something. Using 神靈 to describe a talented person would sound extremely bizarre and overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
