sap1濕湿
Jyutpingsap1
Yalesāp
Definition
Wet, damp, or humid; covered in or containing moisture.
colloquialweatherdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of wetness, this word is frequently used in slang to describe something that is easy or effortless, similar to saying a task is a piece of cake. It also carries a negative connotation when describing people who are overly sentimental or prone to crying. In the context of weather, it specifically refers to the high humidity levels common in Hong Kong during the spring months.
Examples
The floor is soaking wet, be careful not to slip.
The weather is so humid today, the clothes are hard to dry.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes imply being slow or inefficient. In Cantonese, using it to describe a person as slow is not standard; it is almost exclusively used for physical wetness, humidity, or the slang meaning of ease.
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.
