仙
sin1
The English phrase "cents" is translated into Cantonese as 仙 (sin1).
仙 is used as a unit of currency to describe small amounts of money.
Which one should you use?
分 is used in formal contexts to refer to cents.
How do you pronounce it?
sin1
Did you know?
- The word 仙 literally translates to 'immortal' or 'hermit' in English. It is a curious linguistic coincidence that a term for a mythical being is used to count money.
- Because physical coins for single 仙 are practically extinct in modern Hong Kong, the word now often functions more as a psychological marker of a 'cheap' price than a literal unit of exchange.
- In traditional markets, prices are often rounded, meaning 仙 are rarely physically exchanged today. Most transactions are handled in units of ten cents or whole dollars.
Examples in context
- 五分Five cents
- 佢淨係畀咗我十仙。keoi5 zing6 si6 bei2 zo2 ngo5 sap6 sin1.He only gave me ten cents.
Example conversation
Ka Yan and Zi Qiang are checking a receipt at a store.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan志強，個價錢唔啱喎。Zi3 koeng4, go3 gaa3 cin4 m4 am4 wo3.Zi Qiang, the price is wrong.
- 志強 Chi Keung唔啱？差咗幾多？m4 am4? caa1 zo2 gei2 do1?Wrong? How much is it off by?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan少咗五仙。siu2 zo2 ng5 sin1.It is five cents short.
- 志強 Chi Keung好少，唔緊要啦。hou2 siu2, m4 gan2 jiu3 laa1.That is very little, it doesn't matter.
