cou1 sin3 tiu4粗線條粗线条
Jyutpingcou1 sin3 tiu4
Yalechōu sin tìuh
Definition
Broad-brush, rough-and-ready, or lacking attention to detail and niceties.
- figurativerough outline; thick lines; sketch with bold lines
- broad-brush; careless; rough-and-ready; having little regard for niceties
colloquialdescriptionspeople
How it's used
Describes someone who is habitually inattentive to details or lacks social sensitivity. It carries a slightly forgiving tone, suggesting the person is not malicious but simply lacks the capacity for precision or nuance. It is often used to excuse minor social blunders or forgetfulness.
Examples
He is very careless, he always forgets to bring his keys.
Don't be so sloppy with your work, check it clearly first.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a careless personality
to do things in a sloppy or unrefined way
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with being physically thick or clumsy. It refers specifically to a personality trait or a lack of attention to detail, not to physical stature or manual dexterity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.



