soeng5 saan1上山
Jyutpingsoeng5 saan1
Yaleséuhng sāan
Definition
To go up a hill or mountain, or to bury the dead.
- to go up a hill or mountain
- figurativeto bury the dead
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Using this term for a funeral is a euphemism that reflects the traditional practice of burying the deceased on hillsides. While it is widely understood in this context, it is a sensitive expression that should be used with care. In a casual setting, it is also frequently used to describe the simple act of hiking or climbing a hill for exercise.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to attend someone's funeral or burial
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the act of going to a cemetery specifically for visiting graves, which is usually referred to as 拜山. Using 上山 in the context of visiting a grave might imply you are involved in the burial process itself rather than just paying respects.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
