san4 sin1神仙
Jyutpingsan4 sin1
Yalesàhn sīn
Definition
Deity, immortal, or celestial being with magical powers.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of celestial beings, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled, detached from worldly troubles, or seemingly omniscient. It carries a slightly playful or exaggerated tone when applied to ordinary people. In casual speech, it is often paired with the particle 咁 to form comparisons.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Do you think you are a fairy who can predict the future?
Related words
Common phrases
a perfect, blissful couple
a clash between two highly skilled experts
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 仙人, which specifically refers to Taoist immortals who have attained enlightenment. While they share similar traits, 神仙 is a broader term for various divine figures, whereas 仙人 implies a specific path of cultivation.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
