ci4 wun6遲緩迟缓
Jyutpingci4 wun6
Yalechìh wuhn
Definition
Slow, sluggish, or delayed.
neutraldescriptionshealth
How it's used
Focuses on a lack of agility or speed in processes, whether physical, mental, or systemic. It carries a formal or clinical tone, often appearing in news reports or medical contexts rather than casual conversation. When describing people in everyday speech, speakers prefer simpler alternatives like 慢.
Examples
His reactions are very slow, he is always a beat behind.
Economic development is sluggish, causing many people to lose their jobs.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical movement speed, such as walking or running, where 慢 is the standard choice. It is reserved for abstract concepts like development, reactions, or systemic performance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
