soeng1 can1雙親双亲
Jyutpingsoeng1 can1
Yalesēung chān
Definition
Both parents; mother and father.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the pair of father and mother as a unit, carrying a slightly more formal or respectful tone than the everyday term 父母. It is frequently used in written contexts, news reports, or when discussing family obligations and filial piety. While perfectly acceptable in speech, using it in casual conversation might sound a bit stiff or literary compared to the more common 父母 or 阿爸阿媽.
Examples
He is very filial and always takes care of his parents.
Do your parents live in Hong Kong?
Related words
Common phrases
both parents are still alive
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.
