si1 jau5 coi4 caan2私有財產私有财产
Jyutpingsi1 jau5 coi4 caan2
Yalesī yáuh chòih cháan
Definition
Private property; privately owned property or assets.
writtenmoneyother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the legal or formal concept of ownership rather than everyday personal belongings. While it appears in legal documents and political discussions, it sounds quite stiff and academic in casual conversation. People usually prefer using simpler terms like 嘢 or 私人物品 when talking about their own things.
Examples
These are my private property, don't touch them.
The law protects citizens' private property, it cannot be confiscated at will.
Common phrases
protect private property
infringe upon private property
Common mistake
Learners often use this term to describe personal items like a bag or a phone, which sounds unnatural and overly formal. Use 私人物品 for personal belongings instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
