siu2 hang4 sing1小行星
Jyutpingsiu2 hang4 sing1
Yalesíu hàhng sīng
Definition
Asteroid; a minor planet orbiting a star that is smaller than a planet and not a comet.
neutralnature
How it's used
Scientific terminology in Cantonese often mirrors English structures, but speakers frequently add the classifier 粒 to emphasize the small, pebble-like nature of these celestial bodies compared to planets. While technically a formal term, it appears naturally in casual discussions about space news or science fiction movies. Using 粒 highlights the physical scale of the object rather than its abstract classification.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Astronomers discovered a new asteroid.
Will that asteroid hit the Earth?
Related words
Common phrases
asteroid belt
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 小行星 with 彗星, but remember that 彗星 specifically refers to comets which have a visible tail, whereas 小行星 are rocky bodies without such features.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
