bing1 cing1 juk6 git3冰清玉潔冰清玉洁
Jyutpingbing1 cing1 juk6 git3
Yalebīng chīng yuhk git
Definition
Pure and noble; having an untarnished, upright, and clean character.
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used to describe someone's moral character or integrity, often in a slightly dramatic or literary tone. While it can be used sincerely, it is frequently employed sarcastically to mock someone who is acting holier than thou or pretending to be innocent. It carries a sense of being untouched by the corruption or messiness of the world.
Examples
She is pure and noble, how could she do such shameful things?
Who said she is pure and noble? Don't be so naive.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a pure and noble character
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of someone's physical appearance or hygiene, but it is strictly reserved for moral character. Using it to describe a clean room or a tidy person will sound very strange to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
