tou2 si1土司
Jyutpingtou2 si1
Yaletóu sī
Definition
Tusi; native chieftains recognized as imperial officials from Yuan dynasty to early years of Republic of China.
writtenother
How it's used
This term refers specifically to the hereditary administrative system used by imperial dynasties to govern ethnic minority regions. It is a historical title that carries a strong academic or formal nuance, rarely appearing in casual conversation unless discussing history or heritage. Be aware that in modern contexts, the term is strictly limited to this historical administrative role.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
History books tell many stories about the tusi.
Related words
Common phrases
tusi system
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English loanword toast, which is also written as 土司 in some regions. In Hong Kong, the bread is almost exclusively referred to as 吐司 or 麵包.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
