si1 laan6撕爛撕烂
Jyutpingsi1 laan6
Yalesī laahn
Definition
To tear up or tear apart a paper object, making it no longer whole.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the physical act of destroying paper or thin materials by pulling them apart with force. It implies a sense of finality or deliberate destruction, often linked to frustration or anger. Unlike generic verbs for breaking things, this is restricted to items that can be shredded or ripped into pieces.
Examples
He was so angry that he tore up the letter immediately.
Why did you tear up my homework?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for breaking solid objects like glass or plastic, as those require different verbs like 爛 or 碎. It is strictly for materials that can be torn, such as paper, fabric, or thin cardboard.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
