seoi2 soeng6 jan4水上人
Jyutpingseoi2 soeng6 jan4
Yaleséui seuhng yàhn
Definition
Boat people; Tanka people who traditionally live on boats and fish for a living.
colloquialpeopleplaces
How it's used
Historically, this term refers to the Tanka people who lived on boats in coastal areas. It carries a sense of cultural identity linked to maritime traditions rather than just a description of housing. While many have moved to land, the term remains a respectful way to acknowledge their unique heritage.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
My grandfather used to be a boat person, he often tells stories about the sea.
Do you know how the boat people lived on boats in the past?
Related words
Common phrases
life of boat people
boat people culture
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe modern-day refugees or migrants living on boats, as it specifically refers to the traditional fishing communities of Southern China and Hong Kong.
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.
