細妹
sai3 mui6
The Cantonese phrase for little sister is 細妹 (sai3 mui6).
細妹 refers to a female sibling who is younger than the speaker. While it can describe a biological younger sister, it is also frequently used as a colloquial term of endearment or as a casual way to refer to a younger female acquaintance or a girl of a similar age.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 細 (sai3), meaning small or little and 妹 (mui6), meaning younger sister.
Which one should you use?
細妹 is a more colloquial term common in spoken Cantonese, whereas 妹妹 (mui6 mui6) is a more formal or standard way to refer to a younger sister in both written and spoken contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Hong Kong region, the term 細妹 is used to refer to a little sister.
How do you pronounce it?
sai3 mui6
Did you know?
- If you use the term 細妹 too frequently toward a woman you do not know, it can be perceived as 'cheap' or overly casual, similar to calling a woman 'kiddo' in English.
- The word 妹 (mui6) is a common component in many female names in Cantonese culture, often appearing as a middle or end character to denote femininity or youth.
- Cantonese speakers may use 細妹 to refer to a female junior colleague in a workplace to create a friendly, family-like atmosphere.
Examples in context
- 我細妹好叻。ngo5 sai1 mui6 hou2 lek1.My little sister is very smart.
- 你個細妹喺邊度呀？nei5 go3 sai1 mui6 hai2 bin1 dou6 aa3?Where is your little sister?
- 佢係我細妹。keoi5 hai6 ngo5 sai1 mui6.She is my little sister.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.
- 子健 Tsz Kin美玲，你個細妹今日嚟唔嚟呀？mei5 ling4, nei5 go3 sai1 mui6 gam1 jat6 lai4 m4 lai4 aa3?Meiling, is your little sister coming today?
- 美玲 Mei Ling佢今日要返學，嚟唔到。keoi5 gam1 jat6 jiu3 faan1 hok6, lai4 m4 dou2.She has school today, so she can't come.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁可惜，我好想見佢。gam2 ho2 sik2, ngo5 hou2 soeng2 gin3 keoi5.That's a pity, I really wanted to see her.
- 美玲 Mei Ling下次我哋一齊食飯啦。ha6 ci3 ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6 laa1.Let's have a meal together next time.
