sin1 jau4仙遊仙游
Jyutpingsin1 jau4
Yalesīn yàuh
Definition
To pass away; a euphemistic term for death.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term is a respectful and gentle way to refer to death, often used to avoid the bluntness of words like 死. It carries a sense of peaceful transition, literally suggesting the person has gone to join the immortals. It is most commonly used when speaking about elderly people to show consideration for the feelings of the bereaved.
Examples
I heard his grandfather passed away last month.
When an elderly person passes away, the family must be very sad.
Related words
Common phrases
has passed away
Common mistake
Avoid using this term for young people or in cases of sudden, violent, or tragic death, as it sounds too detached or inappropriately poetic. It is strictly reserved for natural causes or elderly passing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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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.
