si1 zoeng2師長师长
Jyutpingsi1 zoeng2
Yalesī jéung
Definition
A respectful address for teachers, or a military division commander.
- teachers, as a respectful term of address
- technicaldivision commander (military rank)
writtenschoolpeople
How it's used
While this term literally means teacher and elder, it is rarely used in modern daily speech to address someone directly. It carries a formal or literary tone, often appearing in school mottos or formal written contexts rather than casual conversation. Most people prefer using 老師 when speaking to or about a teacher in a normal setting.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He respects that teacher very much.
Remember to greet your teacher when you see them.
Related words
Common phrases
respect teachers
Common mistake
Avoid using this as a direct address like you would with 老師, as it sounds overly formal or archaic. It is more common to see it used as a collective noun for educators or mentors in formal writing.
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.
