cing1 ceot1 jyu1 laam4青出於藍青出于蓝
Definition
The student surpasses the master; to excel or outperform one's teachers or predecessors.
How it's used
This idiom is used to praise someone who has exceeded the skills or achievements of their mentor or predecessor. It carries a strong sense of pride and professional respect, often used by teachers or parents when acknowledging the growth of their students or children. Unlike some idioms that feel overly formal, this is frequently used in casual conversation to compliment someone's progress.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for being talented, but it specifically requires a comparison between a mentor and a student or a predecessor and a successor. Using it to describe someone who is simply naturally gifted without a teacher figure present is technically incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
