sei3 bin1 ji4四邊兒四边儿
Jyutpingsei3 bin1 ji4
Yalesei bīn yìh
Definition
On all four sides; all around.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This term is essentially a Northern-influenced expression that is rarely used in natural spoken Cantonese. Native speakers almost exclusively use 四圍 or 四周 to describe surroundings. Using this term will make your speech sound like you are reading from a translated novel rather than speaking like a local.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Cantonese colloquial term 四圍, which is the standard way to say all around or everywhere. The suffix 兒 is a hallmark of Mandarin and is not part of the authentic Cantonese lexicon.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
