soeng2 ci3賞賜赏赐
Jyutpingsoeng2 ci3
Yaleséung chi
Definition
To bestow a reward or grant something to a subordinate, such as money, valuables, or gifts.
writtenpeoplemoney
How it's used
Carries a strong hierarchical connotation, implying the giver is in a position of authority or superiority over the recipient. It is rarely used in casual, peer to peer interactions, as it sounds overly formal or even condescending in modern daily life. When used outside of historical contexts, it often sounds sarcastic or playful.
Examples
This treasure was a reward bestowed upon him by the Emperor.
If you work this hard, the boss will reward you.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe giving gifts to friends or family, as it implies a patronizing power dynamic. Use 獎勵 or 送 instead for neutral or positive contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
