ze6 sai3謝世谢世
Jyutpingze6 sai3
Yalejeh sai
Definition
To pass away; a euphemism for dying.
writtenpeople
How it's used
This term is a formal and respectful euphemism for death, typically reserved for writing or solemn speech. It carries a sense of dignity that makes it inappropriate for casual conversation about someone's pet or a minor character in a story. Using it in everyday talk about a friend or family member can sound overly detached or literary.
Examples
His grandfather passed away last year.
I heard that old person passed away a few days ago.
Related words
Common phrases
to pass away one after another
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this in casual contexts where 走咗 or 過身 would be far more natural. It is strictly for formal registers and should be avoided in daily, informal chat.
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.
