sang1 ngaai4生涯
Jyutpingsang1 ngaai4
Yalesāng ngàaih
Definition
One's career, profession, or life experiences in a certain field or activity.
neutralwork
How it's used
This term carries a formal or literary weight, often used to describe a long, continuous period of professional activity or a specific phase of life. It is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk about a simple job, appearing more frequently in interviews, biographies, or reflective writing. When referring to a standard job, people usually prefer using 份工 or 職業.
Measure word
dyun6段dyunhExamples
He has spent decades in his teaching career.
Related words
Common phrases
acting career
teaching career
stage career
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe a single event or a short-term experience, but it implies a sustained, significant portion of one's life or professional journey.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
