si6 gwaan1事關事关
Jyutpingsi6 gwaan1
Yalesih gwāan
Definition
Because; since; used to introduce a reason.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
Functions as a causal conjunction that sounds slightly more conversational and explanatory than the standard 因為. It often introduces a reason that the listener might not be aware of, acting as a bridge to provide context for a previous statement. It is particularly common in spoken explanations where the speaker wants to justify their actions or clarify a situation.
Examples
I am not going, because I am very tired today.
Why aren't you eating? Is it because you are feeling unwell?
Related words
Common phrases
of great importance
Common mistake
Avoid using it in formal writing or professional reports, as it carries a distinctly casual, spoken tone. It is also less common to use it at the very beginning of a sentence compared to because in English; it usually follows the main clause.
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).
