si6仕
Jyutpingsi6
Yalesih
Definition
To become a government official or work in the civil service.
writtenwork
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in formal compounds or literary contexts rather than being used as a standalone verb in daily speech. It carries a classical nuance associated with the imperial examination system or traditional bureaucratic hierarchies. Modern speakers prefer using government related terms like 做公務員 or 入政府 when describing contemporary career paths.
Examples
He is determined to enter government service and has taken the exam many times.
His career path in the government is smooth, and he got promoted very quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this character in casual conversation to mean working for a company or just having a job. It is specifically tied to the concept of holding an official government position.
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.
