sang1 lik6生力
Jyutpingsang1 lik6
Yalesāng lihk
Definition
San Miguel, the beer brand.
colloquialdrink
How it's used
This brand name is so deeply ingrained in local culture that it has become the generic term for beer in many casual settings. People often use it to refer to any standard lager, especially when ordering at a cha chaan teng or dai pai dong. It carries a nostalgic, working class association compared to imported craft beers.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
Where are we going to drink San Miguel tonight?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not assume that someone asking for a 生力 is strictly requesting the specific brand; they are often just asking for a standard beer. If you are at a bar with a wide selection, using this term might be seen as overly casual or imprecise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.



