seoi6 sing1彗星
Jyutpingseoi6 sing1
Yaleseuih sīng
Definition
Comet; a small celestial body that releases gas and dust, forming a glowing tail when passing near the sun.
neutralnature
How it's used
Scientific terms like this are often used in formal contexts or news reports rather than casual daily conversation. When speaking informally, people might simply refer to it as 流星 or a generic bright object in the sky if they are unsure of the technical distinction. It is rarely a topic of casual small talk unless a major astronomical event is occurring.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
A comet is passing by tomorrow night, are you going to watch it?
Related words
Common phrases
comet tail
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 流星, which refers to a shooting star or meteor. Remember that a comet is a specific celestial body that orbits the sun, whereas a meteor is the flash of light caused by debris entering the atmosphere.
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.
