si1斯
Jyutpingsi1
Yalesī
Definition
This; these; like this.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Unlike the common spoken word 呢, 斯 is a literary morpheme that almost exclusively appears in set phrases or formal written contexts. It functions as a demonstrative pronoun meaning this or such, often emphasizing the degree or nature of something. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation unless someone is intentionally using a high register or quoting classical texts.
Examples
Why have you become this cold?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 斯 with the spoken 呢. Using 斯 in everyday speech will sound extremely unnatural or overly dramatic, as it belongs to the written language rather than the vernacular.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
