sau1 sam1 joeng5 sing3修心養性修心养性
Jyutpingsau1 sam1 joeng5 sing3
Yalesāu sām yéuhng sing
Definition
To reflect on oneself to cultivate one's character, mind, or temperament.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Often used to describe someone who has decided to settle down or abandon a wild, reckless lifestyle. It carries a sense of maturity and self-reflection, implying that the person was previously behaving in a way that was considered immature or problematic.
Examples
He has been cultivating his character lately and doesn't go out partying anymore.
Are you planning to turn over a new leaf and be a good person?
Related words
Common phrases
a disciplined and virtuous lifestyle
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simple hobbies or learning a new skill. It specifically refers to a fundamental change in one's moral character or lifestyle habits, usually after a period of being seen as 'naughty' or 'unruly'.
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.
