seng4 san1成身
Jyutpingseng4 san1
Yalesèhng sān
Definition
The whole body; all over one's body.
colloquialbodydescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the state of being covered from head to toe, often implying a messy or noticeable condition like dirt, sweat, or water. It functions adverbially to describe the extent of a physical state across the entire body. It is rarely used in formal writing and carries a strong sense of immediacy in spoken descriptions.
Examples
He is covered in sweat, go take a shower quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean a specific body part or the body as a biological entity, as it specifically emphasizes the entire surface area of the body being affected by something.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
