zeot1卒
Jyutpingzeot1
Yalejēut
Definition
To die; to pass away.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Using 卒 to describe human death is considered highly formal or literary and is rarely used in casual daily speech. In standard spoken Cantonese, people prefer using 過身, 去咗, or 走咗 to show more respect or to sound more natural. It is mostly encountered in written records, biographies, or formal historical contexts.
Examples
The elderly person has passed away.
I heard he passed away last year?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 卒 in casual conversation to talk about a friend or family member passing away, as it sounds cold, clinical, or overly dramatic. It is essentially a written term that feels out of place in a warm or empathetic spoken context.
Grammar color guide
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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.
