si4 jat6時日时日
Jyutpingsi4 jat6
Yalesìh yaht
Definition
Time; days.
neutraltime
How it's used
Refers specifically to a duration or a span of time rather than a point on the clock. It carries a slightly more literary or reflective tone compared to the everyday word 時間. You will often hear it used in contexts involving long-term planning or the passage of life.
Examples
I've been busy as hell lately and have no time to rest.
How much more time do you have left to waste?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to ask for the time of day, as it does not refer to clock time. For asking the time, always use 幾點.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
