sin1 jan4 zoeng2仙人掌
Jyutpingsin1 jan4 zoeng2
Yalesīn yàhn jéung
Definition
Cactus; a desert plant with spines and thick, water-storing stems.
neutralnature
How it's used
Unlike many other plants, the cactus is often associated with resilience and low maintenance in local culture. People frequently keep them as desk ornaments because they are believed to absorb radiation from computer screens, though this is a common folk belief rather than a scientific fact.
Measure word
po1樖pōExamples
Do you know why cacti have spines?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often forget that the measure word for plants is 樖, not 個. Using 個 for a plant sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
