sin1 lai6先例
Jyutpingsin1 lai6
Yalesīn laih
Definition
Precedent; a previous similar case or event used as a guide.
neutralother
How it's used
Often used in formal or legalistic contexts, this term carries a sense of gravity regarding future actions. It is most frequently encountered in the phrase 開先例, which serves as a warning against starting a practice that might be difficult to stop later. It implies that a single action will become a standard for all subsequent similar situations.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
We cannot set this precedent.
Do you know what kind of precedent doing this will create?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with general habits or past experiences, but it specifically refers to a case that serves as a guide or justification for future decisions. It is not used for personal routines or casual past events.
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.
