寫 / 写
To write in Cantonese is 寫 / 写.
The verb is used to describe the act of forming letters, characters or other symbols.
Meaning: to form letters, etc. (verb)
Which one should you use?
The term 書寫 (syu1 se2) is a formal way to say 'write' in Cantonese and refers to the act of writing. Conversely, 寫下 (se2 haa5) is an informal way to say 'write' in Cantonese and implies jotting something down quickly.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate the continuous action of writing, add the aspect marker 緊 after the verb to form 寫緊. To express that the writing process is completed, use the verb followed by the resultative complement 完 to form 寫完.
Did you know?
- The term 寫實 is used in Cantonese to mean 'realism' in art or literature, utilizing the verb 寫 to mean 'to depict'.
- In Cantonese, the word for 'write' can also be used to describe the act of 'composing' a piece of music or a poem, showing that the physical act of writing and the mental act of creation are often viewed as one.
- A common way to say someone 'writes' very well is to say they have 'good strokes' (筆法好, bat1 faat3 hou2), referring to the pressure and direction of the brush or pen.
Examples in context
- 佢寫緊信。He/she is writing a letter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “write” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
