siu1霄
Jyutpingsiu1
Yalesīu
Definition
The sky, firmament, or high clouds.
writtennature
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively found in the idiom 九霄雲外, which refers to the highest heavens or a place very far away. It is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern spoken Cantonese to describe the sky. You will mostly encounter it in literary contexts or when describing someone who is daydreaming or completely detached from reality.
Examples
I do not care about things that are far away.
Related words
Common phrases
beyond the highest heavens; far away
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.
