si1思
Jyutpingsi1
Yalesī
Definition
To think, contemplate, or consider.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
The character 思 is primarily used in formal, written, or compound words like 思考 or 思想, whereas the spoken Cantonese equivalent is almost exclusively 諗. Using 思 in casual conversation will sound overly literary or like a direct translation from Mandarin. It is best to treat 思 as a component for building vocabulary rather than a verb for daily interaction.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 思 as a standalone verb in spoken sentences. Always use 諗 when expressing the act of thinking in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
