siu1瀟潇

Jyutpingsiu1

Yalesīu

Rare

Definition

Deep and clear water, or the pattering sound of light rain.

deep and clear water
the pattering sound of light rain

writtendescriptions

How it's used

While the original meaning relates to water or rain, the character is almost exclusively used today as part of the compound 瀟灑 to describe a person who is carefree, dashing, or elegant. It implies a sense of ease and confidence, often used to praise someone who handles life or difficult situations without being burdened by attachment or worry.

Examples

keoi5佢go3個jan4人hou2好siu1瀟saa2灑，zou6做je5嘢cung4從loi4來m4唔to1拖nai4泥daai3帶seoi2水。

He is very dashing and never drags his feet when doing things.

tai2睇keoi5佢haang4行lou6路go2嗰zan6陣siu1瀟saa2灑ge3嘅joeng2樣，zan1真hai6係hou2好jau5有jing4型。

Seeing how dashing he looks when he walks, he is really cool.

Common phrases

siu1瀟saa2灑

dashing and carefree

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal description of weather or water, as it is rarely used in that context in modern spoken Cantonese. Using it to describe actual rain will sound archaic or overly poetic to a native speaker.