zan1 si6真是
Jyutpingzan1 si6
Yalejān sih
Definition
Really; extremely; used to emphasize a high degree.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Use 真係 to express emphasis or sincerity in almost any context. It functions as an adverb to intensify adjectives or verbs, often adding a sense of personal feeling or surprise to a statement. Unlike formal written Chinese, it is essential to use the Cantonese character 係 instead of the Mandarin 是 to sound natural.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 真 instead of 真係. While 真 can work as an adjective meaning real or true, it cannot function as an adverb of degree in spoken Cantonese; you must include the 係 to make it grammatically correct in this sense.
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.
