soeng1 lei4相離相离
Jyutpingsoeng1 lei4
Yalesēung lèih
Definition
To be separated or apart from each other.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the physical or emotional distance between two entities that were previously connected or together. It is more formal than simply saying 分開 and often carries a sense of gradual drifting or divergence. Use it when describing relationships that are fading or objects that are moving away from each other.
Examples
The two of them have already separated quite a distance.
Why have you two drifted so far apart?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe the act of breaking up in a romantic relationship, as 分手 is the standard term for that. Using 相離 in that context sounds overly literary or archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
