seoi6 ji3睡意
Jyutpingseoi6 ji3
Yaleseuih yi
Definition
Sleepiness; drowsiness; the desire or feeling of wanting to fall asleep.
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How it's used
While this term is understood in Cantonese, it is primarily a formal or literary word borrowed from written Chinese. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost exclusively use the adjective 眼瞓 to describe the state of being sleepy. Using 睡意 in casual conversation can sound slightly stiff or like you are reading from a book.
Measure word
zan6陣janhExamples
I am very sleepy right now and want to go home to sleep immediately.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb form or the common adjective 眼瞓. Learners often try to use 睡意 as a verb, but it is strictly a noun, so you must pair it with a verb like 有 or 嚟 to express the feeling.
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.
