先生
sin1 saang1
The Cantonese term for 'Mr.' is 先生 (sin1 saang1).
In Cantonese, 先生 is used as a formal title before a surname, similar to the English 'Mr.'
What does it mean word for word?
The term 先生 literally means 'born first' and is used to mean 'gentleman', 'sir' or 'husband'.
Which one should you use?
While 先生 is the title for a man, 小姐 (siu2 je5) is a common title for an unmarried woman (Miss).
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a title like 'Mr.', the surname is placed before 先生.
How do you pronounce it?
sin1 saang1
Did you know?
- The word 先生 is shared with Mandarin and Japanese, though in Japanese it specifically refers to teachers or doctors.
- In Cantonese, 先生 is not just a title for 'Mr.' but is also the common word for 'husband'.
- The phrase 先生 is also used to refer to a 'teacher' or 'master' in many traditional Chinese contexts, implying a person of high status or knowledge.
Examples in context
- 佢認錯咗我做田森先生。She mistook me for Mr. Tamori.This sentence shows how to identify someone using 先生.Tatoeba #6479169 by nickyeow, translation #539602 by CN
- 懷特先生好似有好多朋友。Mr White seems to have many friends.This sentence demonstrates using 先生 to refer to a person.Tatoeba #1448418 by nickyeow, translation #33096 by gin
- 唔該你俾布朗先生個電話我吖。Please give me the number for Mr Brown.This sentence shows how to request contact information for someone using 先生.Tatoeba #616378 by nickyeow, translation #34273 by AlanF_US
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yating introduces her teacher to Zijian.
- 子健 Tsz Kin呢位係我嘅老師，陳先生。ni1 wai2 si6 ngo5 ge3 lou5 si1, can4 sin1 saang1.This is my teacher, Mr. Chan.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting陳先生，你好！can4 sin1 saang1, nei5 hou2!Hello, Mr. Chan!
- 子健 Tsz Kin陳先生，呢位係我朋友子健。can4 sin1 saang1, ni1 wai2 si6 ngo5 pang4 jau5 zi2 gin6.Mr. Chan, this is my friend Zijian.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting你好，子健。nei5 hou2, zi2 gin6.Hello, Zijian.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
