si6是
Jyutpingsi6
Yalesih
Definition
Right, correct, or true.
writtendescriptionscommunication
How it's used
Cantonese speakers rarely use this character as a standalone verb for 'to be' in daily speech, preferring 係 instead. It is mostly preserved in formal idioms or compound words like 是非, which refers to gossip or disputes. Using it as a direct translation for 'correct' in casual conversation will sound unnatural or overly literary.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for the common copula 係. While they share a written origin, they are distinct in modern usage, and using 是 in place of 係 will make your speech sound like a textbook or a period drama.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
