san4 wai2神位
Jyutpingsan4 wai2
Yalesàhn wái
Definition
An altar setup or tablet representing a deity or ancestor for worship.
colloquialhomeother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the physical space or structure designated for worship, often a shelf or a small cabinet mounted on a wall. It is distinct from the deity or ancestor themselves, focusing on the location where the ritual act of offering occurs. In modern apartments, these are often miniaturized to fit limited space.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Someone offers incense at the altar in their home every day.
Do you know where one can buy a new altar setup?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the general term 祭壇, which is a broader or more formal term for an altar. 神位 specifically implies the traditional domestic or temple setting for household deities or ancestors.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
