bong2 ngaan5榜眼
Jyutpingbong2 ngaan5
Yalebóng ngáahn
Definition
Second place in a competition, ranking, or imperial examination.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Originally referring to the second-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, this term is now used humorously or formally to describe anyone coming in second place. It carries a slightly literary or playful tone compared to simply saying 第二名. It is often used in sports, academic rankings, or competitions to add a touch of historical flair.
Examples
He gets second place in every exam, he is so impressive.
Related words
Common phrases
to get second place
Common mistake
Do not use this term in serious, professional, or strictly modern contexts where a neutral tone is required, as it can sound overly dramatic or archaic. It is best reserved for casual conversation or lighthearted commentary.
Grammar color guide
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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).
