seoi4 jin4垂涎
Jyutpingseoi4 jin4
Yalesèuih yìhn
Definition
To salivate; to drool over something, or metaphorically to covet or strongly desire it.
- to drool; to salivate
- figurativeto covet; to strongly desire something
writtenemotionfood
How it's used
While literally describing the physical act of drooling, this term is almost exclusively used metaphorically to describe intense desire or greed for an object or position. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the everyday phrase 流口水. It is frequently paired with the idiom 三尺 to emphasize the intensity of the craving.
Examples
Seeing that plate of roast goose, I am really drooling.
Have you been coveting their new wallet for a long time?
Related words
Common phrases
drooling three feet long; salivating with greed
mouth-watering; covetous
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual conversation to describe actual hunger, as it sounds overly dramatic or bookish. Use 流口水 instead for everyday situations involving food.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
