sou3 hing1素馨
Jyutpingsou3 hing1
Yalesou hīng
Definition
Spanish jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum); a species of jasmine known for its fragrant white flowers.
writtennature
How it's used
Refers specifically to the fragrant flower often used in tea or traditional perfumes. It is a more literary or formal term compared to the common spoken word 茉莉, which is the standard name for jasmine in daily life. You will mostly encounter this term in botanical contexts, poetry, or high-end product descriptions.
Measure word
do2朵dóExamples
There are many jasmine flowers planted here, they smell so good.
Do you like that kind of fragrance from jasmine?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word in casual conversation to refer to common jasmine, as most people will immediately use 茉莉 instead. Using this term in a grocery store or market will likely cause confusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
