神
san⁴
The English word "God" is translated into Cantonese as 神 (san⁴).
神 is a general term used to refer to a deity, a God or a spirit. It can describe a specific deity, the general concept of divinity or even supernatural spirits in a mythological sense.
Meaning: deity (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 神 is a general term for a deity or God, specific names like 上帝 or 天主 are used when referring to the monotheistic God in specific religious contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, 上帝 is a widely used term to address God.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
san⁴
Did you know?
- The character 神 is often used in the phrase 神經病, which literally means 'nerve disease' but is used colloquially to call someone 'crazy' or 'insane'.
- While 神 is a general term, Cantonese distinguishes between 正神, which are officially recognized deities, and 野神, which are wild or unordained spirits.
- In Cantonese, the word 神 can be used as an adjective to describe someone with 'god-like' skills, such as a 'god-tier' gamer or a person with supernatural talent.
Examples in context
- 神呀！神呀！你點解要抌低我？My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?This sentence shows how to use 神 in an exclamation.Tatoeba #7033621 by nickyeow, translation #390011 by Scott
- 萬能嘅神創唔創造到一舊重到連佢自己都拎唔起嘅石頭呢？Can an omnipotent God create a stone so heavy that even He may not lift it?This sentence uses 神 to discuss the concept of an omnipotent God.Tatoeba #5946698 by nickyeow, translation #422961 by Scott
- 如果神當初唔係創造人，而係發現人，咁神呢個概念會有趣啲。The idea of God would be more interesting if instead of having created humans he had found them.This sentence uses 神 when discussing the philosophical idea of God.Tatoeba #6475170 by nickyeow, translation #665529 by darinmex
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a visit to a temple.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你信唔信神？nei5 seon3 m4 seon3 san4?Do you believe in god?
- 志強 Chi Keung我唔太肯定，但係我尊重。ngo5 m4 tai3 kok3 ding3, daan6 hai6 ngo5 zun1 zung3.I'm not too sure, but I'm respectful.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想去嗰間廟拜神。ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 go2 gaan1 miu4 baai3 san4.I want to go to that temple to pray to god.
- 志強 Chi Keung好啊，我陪你一齊去。hou2 aa3, ngo5 pui4 nei5 jat1 cai4 heoi3.Sure, I'll go with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
