zi6 siu2自小
Jyutpingzi6 siu2
Yalejih síu
Definition
Since childhood; from a young age.
colloquialtime
How it's used
Focuses on the duration of a habit or state starting from childhood. It is often paired with 就 to emphasize the early onset of a trait or situation. Unlike formal written terms, it flows naturally in casual conversation when describing personal history.
Examples
He has liked drawing since he was small.
Have you lived here since you were a child?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 從小, which is more common in written Mandarin. While understandable, 自小 is the preferred choice for natural Cantonese speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
