sau2 bin1 ji4手邊兒手边儿
Jyutpingsau2 bin1 ji4
Yalesáu bīn yìh
Definition
At hand, on hand, or readily available.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
The suffix 兒 is a distinct feature of Northern Mandarin influence and is rarely used in authentic Cantonese. While understood in Hong Kong due to media exposure, native speakers typically express this concept using phrases like 手頭 or 身邊. Using this term in a casual conversation will sound like you are mimicking a Northern accent rather than speaking natural Cantonese.
Examples
I don't have money on me right now, let me treat you next time.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a native Cantonese term because it appears in some dictionaries, but it is effectively a loan from Mandarin. You should use 手頭 instead to sound like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
