sau2 cing1守清
Jyutpingsau2 cing1
Yalesáu chīng
Definition
To remain unmarried after the death of one's husband; to live in widowhood.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
This term carries a traditional, somewhat heavy connotation of moral virtue and loyalty to a deceased spouse. It is rarely used in modern, casual conversation and often appears in descriptions of older generations or historical contexts. Unlike the more neutral term 守寡, it emphasizes the act of maintaining personal purity or chastity after the partner's death.
Examples
Ever since her husband passed away, she has remained a widow.
Do you really intend to live out your life as a widow alone?
Related words
Common phrases
to remain a widow for the rest of one's life
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe someone who is simply single or divorced, as it specifically refers to the state of widowhood following the death of a spouse.
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.
