sin1 jan4先人
Jyutpingsin1 jan4
Yalesīn yàhn
Definition
Ancestor or forefather.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Using this term is a respectful and formal way to refer to deceased family members or ancestors. It carries a sense of reverence that is absent from more casual or clinical terms for the dead. It is most frequently encountered in the context of traditional rituals, tomb sweeping, or discussions regarding family lineage.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Many people go to pay respects to their ancestors during the Ching Ming Festival.
Do you know where your ancestor came from?
Related words
Common phrases
pay respects to ancestors
commemorate ancestors
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to refer to someone who has just passed away, as it is reserved for ancestors or those who have been deceased for a significant period. For someone recently deceased, use terms like 過身嘅人 or 離世者 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
