si6 jan4士人
Jyutpingsi6 jan4
Yalesih yàhn
Definition
Collective term in ancient times for scholars or intellectuals.
writtenpeople
How it's used
This term is strictly historical and refers to the intellectual class of imperial China. It is never used to describe modern academics or educated people in contemporary Cantonese. Using it in a modern context would sound like you are reciting a period drama script.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Scholars in ancient times studied very hard.
Related words
Common phrases
the scholar class
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean modern students or teachers, but it carries a specific connotation of feudal social hierarchy that does not apply to today's society.
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.
