sei2 jan4死人
Jyutpingsei2 jan4
Yaleséi yàhn
Definition
A dead person; the deceased.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Beyond its literal meaning, this term is frequently used as a derogatory intensifier or a way to express extreme annoyance toward inanimate objects. When used this way, it functions similarly to 'damn' or 'cursed' in English, such as calling a broken machine a 死人電話. It carries a strong, often superstitious, negative connotation that should be avoided in polite or formal company.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This place used to be a mass grave, there are many dead people here.
Related words
Common phrases
a term of abuse for someone annoying
a miserable or lifeless expression
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to someone who has recently passed away in a respectful context, as it sounds harsh and insensitive. Use 過身嘅人 or 先人 instead when speaking about the deceased with family members or at a funeral.
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.
