錫
sek3
The Cantonese word for 'kiss' is 錫 (sek3).
The word 錫 means 'a touch with the lips'. It is commonly used in a colloquial or affectionate sense, such as when parents kiss their children.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 錫 is used for casual and playful gestures, the term 吻 is used to mean 'kiss' in a formal context. Additionally, 親吻 serves as a more formal or literary way to express the action 'to kiss'.
How do you pronounce it?
sek3
Did you know?
- The word 錫 is used in the phrase 錫到爛, which literally means 'kissing until it rots'. This is a hyperbolic way to say someone is showering another person with an overwhelming amount of affection.
- The character 錫 also means 'tin' or 'pewter'. In Cantonese, the word for 'kiss' and the word for this metal are written identically and pronounced with the same tone.
- In Cantonese, the verb 錫 is also frequently used to mean 'to love' or 'to cherish' when speaking about children or pets.
Examples in context
- 我好想錫你。I really want to kiss you.
- 在公園裡面錫到天黑。We kissed until it got dark in the park.
- 她對著我飛吻。She blew me a kiss.
- 我每晚給你一個飛吻。I'll send you a flying kiss every night.
- 個錫好甜。go3 sek3 hou2 tim4.The kiss is very sweet.
- 佢喺個仔個額度錫咗一下。keoi5 hai2 go3 zai2 go3 ngaat6 dou6 sek3 zo2 jat1 haa6.He gave the boy a kiss on the forehead.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye at the train station.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我要走啦，俾個錫我。ngo5 jiu3 zau2 laa1, bei2 go3 sek3 ngo5.I have to go now, give me a kiss.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好呀，錫完就走。hou2 aa3, sek3 jyun4 zau6 zau2.Okay, leave after the kiss.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你真係好可愛。nei5 zan1 hai6 hou2 gwo3 oi3.You are really cute.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan快啲走啦，遲到喇！faai3 di1 zau2 laa1, ci4 dou3 laa1!Go quickly, you'll be late!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
