soeng1 hyun3相勸相劝
Jyutpingsoeng1 hyun3
Yalesēung hyun
Definition
To kindly and gently advise with good intentions.
writtencommunicationpeople
How it's used
Carries a formal or written tone despite its meaning of gentle advice. It implies a sincere, well-meaning attempt to steer someone away from a mistake, often used in narrative contexts or when describing a serious conversation. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people are much more likely to use phrases like 勸下佢 or 好言相勸 to convey the same sentiment.
Examples
He is kindly advising you, don't be so stubborn.
Has anyone ever kindly advised you not to do that?
Related words
Common phrases
to offer kind words of advice
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, lighthearted situations, as it sounds overly literary or dramatic for everyday chat. It is best reserved for serious discussions where the advice is significant.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
