bing1 syut3 cung1 ming4冰雪聰明冰雪聪明
Jyutpingbing1 syut3 cung1 ming4
Yalebīng syut chūng mìhng
Definition
Extremely clever and bright, typically used to describe young women.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively reserved for praising young women or girls for their quick wit and intelligence. It carries a slightly literary or poetic nuance, making it sound more complimentary and elegant than simply saying 聰明. It is frequently used by older generations to compliment the daughters of friends or family members.
Examples
Her daughter has been clever since she was little, and everyone likes her.
Since you are so smart, you must be able to think of a way to solve it.
Related words
Common phrases
a clever girl
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe men or boys, as it sounds distinctly feminine and out of place in those contexts. It is also not typically used in professional or academic settings to describe someone's work performance, as it focuses more on innate charm and sharpness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
