sau2 bun2首本

Jyutpingsau2 bun2

Yalesáu bún

名詞

Definition

The first book or publication.

writtenother

How it's used

While 首本 literally means first book, it is almost exclusively used in formal or literary contexts to denote the very first edition of a publication. In everyday speech, people usually prefer using 第一本 to describe the first item in a sequence of books. Using 首本 often carries a sense of historical significance or academic weight.

Examples

nei1呢dou6度sau2首bun2本zi6字din2典hai6係gei2幾si4時ceot1出baan2版㗎？

When was the first dictionary here published?

keoi5佢se2寫zo2咗sau2首bun2本gwaan1關jyu1於hoeng1香gong2港lik6歷si2史ge3嘅syu1書。

He wrote the first book about Hong Kong history.

Common phrases

sau2首bun2本zyu3著zok3作

first literary work

sau2首bun2本ceot1出baan2版

first publication

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Cantonese slang term 首本戲, which refers to a signature skill or a specialty act. In that context, 首本 does not refer to a book at all.