大使
daai⁶ si³
The English phrase "ambassador" is translated into Cantonese as 大使 (daai⁶ si³).
大使 refers to a diplomat of the highest rank. Similar to English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone acting as an ambassador for a brand or in a promotional context.
Meaning: diplomat of the highest rank (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 大, meaning 'big' or 'great' and 使, meaning 'envoy' or 'messenger'. Together, they form the sense of a "great envoy".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is daai⁶ si³.
Did you know?
- While 大使 is the official term, in colloquial Cantonese, the character 使 can be used in phrases like 唔使, which means 'no need'. This creates a humorous contrast between the high status of an 'ambassador' and the common phrase for refusing something.
- In Hong Kong, when referring to a 'brand ambassador', the term 大使 is often paired with English loanwords or 'KOL' (Key Opinion Leader) terminology, reflecting the city's bilingual business culture.
- The component 使 can also be used as a verb meaning 'to use' or 'to employ', showing a linguistic bridge between 'an envoy' and 'the act of using' something.
Examples in context
- 同波蘭大使講嘢嗰個係我。I'm the one who spoke with the Polish ambassador.This sentence is useful for identifying someone who spoke with the Polish ambassador using the form 大使.Tatoeba #12080085 by thesilhouette, translation #9729354 by megamanenm
- 佢係法國大使。keoi5 hai6 faat3 gwok3 daai6 si2.He is the French ambassador.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a news report about a diplomatic visit.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan聽講今晚會有大使嚟訪問。ting1 gong2 gam1 maan5 wui5 jau5 daai6 si2 lai4 fong2 maan6.I heard an ambassador is coming for a visit tonight.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係邊個國家嘅大使呀？hai6 bin1 go3 gwok3 gaa3 ge3 daai6 si2 aa3?Which country's ambassador is it?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係英國大使。hai6 jing1 gwok3 daai6 si2.It's the British ambassador.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit原來係佢呀。jyun4 coi4 hai6 keoi5 aa3.Oh, so it's him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ambassador” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
