cin1 lei5 ngaan5千里眼
Jyutpingcin1 lei5 ngaan5
Yalechīn léih ngáahn
Definition
Clairvoyance, or the supernatural ability to see things happening at a great distance.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Originally a mythological figure from Chinese folklore, this term is now frequently used in a sarcastic or playful way to describe someone who has an uncanny ability to spot things from a distance or notice details others miss. It is rarely used in a serious or supernatural context in modern daily life. People often use it when someone manages to find a lost item or notices a friend in a crowded place.
Examples
He seems to have clairvoyance, he actually knows where I am.
Related words
Common phrases
to develop clairvoyance
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal vision or eyesight, as it specifically implies a supernatural or exaggerated level of perception. Using it to describe someone with good eyesight is technically incorrect and will sound like you are mocking them.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
