wong5 si6往事
Jyutpingwong5 si6
Yalewóhng sih
Definition
Past events or occurrences in one's life.
neutraltimepeople
How it's used
Carries a slightly literary or sentimental tone, often used when reflecting on life experiences with a sense of nostalgia or regret. It typically refers to a collection of memories or a specific period of time rather than a single isolated incident. It is less common in casual, immediate conversation compared to talking about 以前.
Measure word
dyun6段dyunhExamples
He is always dwelling on the past.
Why bring up those past events now?
Related words
Common phrases
past events that one cannot bear to look back on
the past is like smoke (fading away)
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to recent events or simple historical facts, as it specifically implies a personal, reflective connection to the past. Using it for something that happened yesterday sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
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.
