syu4殊
Jyutpingsyu4
Yalesyùh
Definition
Shush; a sound made to ask people to be quiet or keep their voices down.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This is an onomatopoeic interjection used exclusively to demand silence. It functions as a sharp, immediate command that is more urgent than simply asking someone to be quiet. It is almost always followed by a short pause or a direct instruction to stop making noise.
Examples
Shh! Keep it down, they are sleeping.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the written character 殊 meaning 'different' or 'special' in formal contexts. As an interjection, it is purely a spoken sound and is rarely written in formal text.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
