sau1 san1 joeng5 sing3修身養性修身养性
Jyutpingsau1 san1 joeng5 sing3
Yalesāu sān yéuhng sing
Definition
To cultivate one's mind and character.
neutralother
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of deliberate self-improvement through quiet reflection or disciplined habits. It is often used to describe lifestyle changes that prioritize mental peace and personal development over material pursuits. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in casual conversation to describe someone who has adopted a more relaxed or virtuous way of living.
Examples
He went to cultivate his mind and character after retiring.
Related words
Common phrases
retire to cultivate one's mind and character
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple hobby or exercise, but it implies a deeper, long-term commitment to moral and spiritual refinement. It is not used to describe learning a new skill like cooking or playing an instrument.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
