bok3 laam5 kwan4 syu1博覽群書博览群书
Jyutpingbok3 laam5 kwan4 syu1
Yalebok láahm kwàhn syū
Definition
Well-read; to have read a vast number of books of various genres.
writtenschoolpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of intellectual breadth and scholarly depth rather than just reading a high volume of books. It is often used to praise someone who has a wide range of knowledge across diverse fields, from literature to technical subjects. Because it is a formal four-character idiom, it is more commonly found in writing or formal speech rather than casual daily conversation.
Examples
He is truly well-read and can join in on any topic.
If you want to be well-read, you need to develop a daily reading habit.
Related words
Common phrases
a well-read scholar
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who simply reads a lot of novels or light fiction. It specifically implies a diverse range of subjects, so it sounds unnatural if applied to someone who only reads one specific genre.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
