zyu1 saa1硃砂朱砂
Jyutpingzyu1 saa1
Yalejyū sā
Definition
Cinnabar; a red, toxic mercuric sulfide mineral used in traditional medicine, religious rituals, and dyes.
neutralotherhealth
How it's used
Associated primarily with traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist ritual practices, this substance is valued for its deep, vibrant red pigment. Because it is a mercury compound, it is handled with caution in modern times, especially when used in amulets or seals that might come into contact with skin.
Examples
Cinnabar is toxic, so please do not touch it carelessly.
Related words
Common phrases
a beauty mark or mole that is bright red
a red brush used for marking or correcting
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with generic red paint or ink, but it is a specific mineral substance with historical and ritual significance that distinguishes it from synthetic red dyes.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
