sang1 ming6生命
Jyutpingsang1 ming6
Yalesāng mihng
Definition
Life; the biological state of animals and plants before death.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers primarily to the abstract concept of existence or the biological state of being alive. Unlike the Mandarin usage which often appears in compound words for daily activities, Cantonese speakers frequently use the more concrete term 命 or 條命 when discussing the survival or lifespan of a specific person or animal.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Life is very precious, don't give it up easily.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word when talking about someone's personal lifespan or fate, as 命 or 條命 is much more natural in those contexts. Using 生命 to describe a specific person's survival can sound overly philosophical or like a direct translation from written Chinese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
