sing1 sau3星宿
Jyutpingsing1 sau3
Yalesīng sau
Definition
Constellations in traditional Chinese astronomy, or stars in general.
- the twenty-eight mansions of traditional Chinese astronomy
- stars in general
- technicalthe Xing (Star) mansion, one of the seven mansions of the Vermilion Bird
neutralnature
How it's used
While technically referring to the specific ancient Chinese astronomical system of twenty-eight mansions, this term is frequently used in casual speech to describe a sky full of stars. It carries a slightly more poetic or literary weight than the common word 星. Using it in daily conversation often adds a touch of wonder or emphasis to the vastness of the night sky.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Look up, the stars tonight are so beautiful.
Related words
Common phrases
the sky full of stars
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to refer to modern Western astrological signs, for which the term 星座 is standard. Mixing the two can lead to confusion, as 星宿 specifically evokes traditional Chinese celestial mapping.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
