zung1 si1宗師宗师
Jyutpingzung1 si1
Yalejūng sī
Definition
An admired, great master of a craft, martial art, or academic discipline.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of reverence and historical weight, often reserved for individuals who have fundamentally shaped a discipline. Unlike the more generic 師傅 which can refer to any skilled worker or tradesperson, 宗師 implies a level of prestige and influence that transcends mere technical proficiency.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
He is the grandmaster of this martial art.
Who would dare to challenge this grandmaster?
Related words
Common phrases
a grandmaster of a generation
martial arts grandmaster
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for casual instructors or teachers, as it sounds overly dramatic and hyperbolic in everyday contexts. It is specifically reserved for figures who have achieved legendary status in their field.
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.
