心肝寶貝
sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3
The Cantonese word for sweetheart is 心肝寶貝 (sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3).
心肝寶貝 is used to express extreme affection for a romantic partner or a beloved child.
Meaning: a person very much liked or loved by someone (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 心肝, meaning heart and liver or innards and 寶貝, meaning treasure or baby.
How do you pronounce it?
sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, referring to someone as one's 心肝 (heart and liver) signifies that they are as vital to you as your internal organs.
Did you know?
- The word 肝 (liver) appears in the phrase because, in traditional Chinese medicine and culture, the liver is considered a central organ for emotional regulation.
- While 心肝寶貝 is the full phrase, using just 心肝 can sometimes be used sarcastically in arguments to mock someone who is being overly spoiled.
- While 心肝寶貝 is deeply affectionate, using only 寶貝 in some contexts can sound like a generic term for an expensive object or a luxury item.
Examples in context
- 佢真係我嘅心肝寶貝。keoi5 zan1 hai6 ngo5 ge3 sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3.She is truly my sweetheart.
- 呢個小朋友係我嘅心肝寶貝。ni1 go3 siu2 pang4 jau5 hai6 ngo5 ge3 sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3.This child is my sweetheart.
- 佢係我心肝寶貝，我要好好錫佢。keoi5 hai6 ngo5 sam1 gon1 bou2 bui3, ngo5 jiu3 hou2 hou2 sek3 keoi5.She is my sweetheart, I must cherish her well.
Example conversation
A couple is talking at home.
- 志強 Chi Keung心肝寶貝，我幫你買咗晚餐喇。sam1 gon1 bou2 bei3, ngo5 bong1 nei5 maai5 zo2 maan5 caan1 laa3.Sweetheart, I bought dinner for you.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung真係唔該你，志強。zan1 hai6 m4 goi1 nei5, zi3 keong4.Thank you so much, Zhiqiang.
- 志強 Chi Keung只要你開心就夠喇。zi2 jiu3 nei5 hoi1 sam1 zau6 gau3 laa3.As long as you are happy, that's enough.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你真係對我好好。nei5 zan1 hai6 deoi3 ngo5 hou2 hou2.You are really good to me.
