sau2 haau3守孝
Jyutpingsau2 haau3
Yalesáu haau
Definition
To observe mourning, temporarily halting entertainment and social activities to grieve a parent or emperor.
writtenfamilyother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the traditional practice of observing a period of mourning after the death of a parent or elder. It carries a heavy, formal tone and is rarely used in modern daily life except when discussing history, literature, or strict family traditions. The practice involves abstaining from celebrations, weddings, or social gatherings to show deep respect for the deceased.
Examples
His family member passed away, so he has to observe a mourning period.
In ancient times, were people really not allowed to go out while observing mourning?
Related words
Common phrases
to observe the three-year mourning period
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe the general feeling of sadness or the act of attending a funeral. It specifically denotes the long-term ritualistic observance of mourning, not the immediate reaction to a death.
Grammar color guide
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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.
