seoi2 zam3水浸
Jyutpingseoi2 zam3
Yaleséui jam
Definition
Flooding; to flood, when water covers the ground due to heavy rain, blocked drains, or burst pipes.
colloquialweatherplaces
How it's used
Functions as both a noun and a verb in Cantonese, describing the state of being flooded or the act of flooding. It is frequently used in news reports and daily conversation during the typhoon season to describe streets or low-lying areas covered by water. Unlike formal written Chinese which might use 淹沒, locals prefer this compound to describe the immediate, tangible result of heavy rain.
Examples
It rained heavily this morning, and many places are flooded.
Is there any flooding on your side?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe being submerged in a pool or bathtub, as it specifically refers to environmental flooding caused by rain or burst pipes. For being submerged in water, use 浸親 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
