seng4 sai3成世
Jyutpingseng4 sai3
Yalesèhng sai
Definition
One's whole life; a lifetime.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Emphasizes the entirety of a person's life, often carrying a tone of exaggeration or frustration. It is frequently used to highlight a long duration of time that feels stagnant or unchanging. When used in questions, it often implies disbelief or a challenge regarding someone's long-term commitment to a situation.
Examples
He has never been on a trip in his whole life, it is so sad.
Do you plan on doing this job for your entire life?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 一世, which is more formal or literary. 成世 is strictly colloquial and carries a more personal, emotive weight, making it sound more natural in casual conversation than the standard 一世.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
