sang1 lik6生力
Jyutpingsang1 lik6
Yalesāng likh
Definition
San Miguel, a 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
gam1 maan5 heoi3 bin1 dou6 jam2 sang1 lik6 aa4
今晚去邊度飲生力呀？
Where are we going to drink San Miguel tonight?
keoi5 hou2 zung1 ji3 jam2 sang1 lik6 gaa4
佢好鍾意飲生力㗎。
He really likes drinking San Miguel.
Related words
Common phrases
jam2 sang1 lik6
飲生力
to drink San Miguel
zi1 sang1 lik6
支生力
a bottle of San Miguel
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.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
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.
