siu2 mui2小妹
Jyutpingsiu2 mui2
Yalesíu múi
Definition
Humble, informal pronoun used by females to refer to themselves; I or me.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Using this term creates a polite, slightly deferential tone, often used when speaking to strangers or in a service setting. It functions as a way to soften one's presence, making the speaker sound approachable and humble. It is almost exclusively used by women to refer to themselves.
Examples
This is my first time here, please go easy on me.
Excuse me, I would like to ask how to get there from here?
Related words
Common phrases
I am not very talented (a humble way to express modesty).
Common mistake
Avoid using this in professional or formal business settings, as it can sound overly cutesy or submissive. It is best reserved for casual interactions where you want to appear friendly rather than authoritative.
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.
