溫書
wan1 syu1
To study in Cantonese is 溫書 (wan1 syu1).
溫書 is the most common way to describe the act of sitting down to review notes or textbooks, especially in a student context. It refers to the process of reviewing material or studying for an upcoming test.
Meaning: to acquire knowledge (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 溫, meaning to warm up or review and the noun 書, meaning book, literally translating to "warm books".
Which one should you use?
While 學習 (hok6 zaap6) refers to the general process of learning, 溫書 is specifically used for reviewing material or studying for an upcoming test.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
wan1 syu1
Did you know?
- Cantonese speakers may use the phrase 啃書 (han2 syu1), which literally means 'gnawing a book', to describe the grueling process of forcing oneself to study difficult material.
- The character 溫 (wan1) also means 'warm', and in traditional Chinese culture, the act of reviewing is likened to warming up old knowledge to make it fresh and active again.
- When someone is studying extremely hard, a Cantonese speaker might say they are 用功 (jung6 gung1), which refers to the 'application of effort' rather than the act of reading books.
Examples in context
- 我聽日去圖書館溫書。Tomorrow, I'm going to study at the library.This sentence is useful for describing a future plan to study at a library using 溫書.Tatoeba #400437 by nickyeow, translation #1874 by Swift
- 個老師提議我哋去圖書館溫書。The teacher suggested that we go to the library to study.This sentence shows a suggestion for a group to go to the library to study using 溫書.Tatoeba #683236 by nickyeow, translation #272852 by CK
- 我因為冇溫書，所以考試肥佬咗。I failed the exam because I didn't study.This sentence illustrates the consequence of not studying using 溫書.Tatoeba #616664 by nickyeow, translation #261645 by CK
- 你讀書點呀？How is your studying going?
- 我要讀書準備考試。I need to study for my exams.
- 你有冇時間一齊讀書？Are you free to study together?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone about their weekend plans.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你呢個週末有咩打算？zi2 gin6, nei5 ni1 go3 zau1 mut6 jau5 me1 daa2 syun3?Zi Kin, what are your plans for this weekend?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我打算喺屋企溫書。ngo5 daa2 syun3 hai2 uk1 kei2 wan1 syu1.I plan to stay home and study.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting咁你唔好太辛苦呀。gam2 nei5 m4 hou2 taai3 san1 fu2 aa3.Don't work too hard then.
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔緊要，我一定要溫書。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 jat1 ding6 jiu3 wan1 syu1.It's okay, I really must study.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
