sat1 sau1失修
Jyutpingsat1 sau1
Yalesāt sāu
Definition
To fall into disrepair, especially of buildings; to be poorly maintained.
neutralplacesdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the physical degradation of structures due to a lack of maintenance over time. It carries a formal tone often found in news reports or official notices regarding building safety. When used in casual conversation, it is almost always paired with the phrase 日久 to emphasize the duration of the neglect.
Examples
That old tenement building has been in disrepair for a long time and is very dangerous.
This place has been in disrepair for a long time, why is no one taking care of it?
Related words
Common phrases
to have fallen into disrepair over a long period
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe personal items like clothes or electronics, as it is strictly reserved for buildings and large infrastructure. For general objects that are broken or worn out, use 爛 or 壞 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
