bun2 leng5本領本领
Jyutpingbun2 leng5
Yalebún léhng
Definition
Ability, skill, or capability.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
本領 carries a sense of impressive, specialized skill or talent rather than just general capacity. It is often used in contexts involving competition, performance, or overcoming significant obstacles. When describing someone's general ability to do something, native speakers more frequently use 能力 or 本事.
Examples
He really has the ability; he managed to settle such a difficult matter.
What other skills do you have that you haven't shown yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 本領 with 本事. While they are similar, 本事 is much more common in everyday speech and can sometimes carry a slightly sarcastic tone when someone is being boastful, whereas 本領 sounds more like a genuine, notable skill.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
