sing3 bou2 lo4聖保羅圣保罗
Jyutpingsing3 bou2 lo4
Yalesing bóu lòh
Definition
São Paulo, a city in Brazil, or Saint Paul, the Christian apostle.
- São Paulo, the most populous city in Brazil
- Saint Paul, the Christian apostle
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How it's used
Distinguishing between the city and the saint relies entirely on context, as the name is identical in common speech. When referring to the religious figure, Catholics in Hong Kong specifically use 聖保祿 to avoid confusion with the city or secular names. The pronunciation remains consistent regardless of the referent.
Examples
He is going to travel to São Paulo next month.
Saint Paul is a very important figure in Christianity.
Related words
Common phrases
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Co-educational College
Common mistake
Learners should be aware that while 聖保羅 is standard for the city and Protestant contexts, using it in a Catholic setting may be seen as incorrect, as 聖保祿 is the required term for the Apostle Paul in that tradition.
Grammar color guide
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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.
