cung1 ming4 teng1 waa6聰明聽話聪明听话

Jyutpingcung1 ming4 teng1 waa6

Yalechūng mìhng tēng wah

Definition

Clever and obedient.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This phrase is a classic compliment used by adults to describe children who are both intelligent and well-behaved. It functions as a single compound adjective rather than two separate descriptors. Using it implies that the child is not just smart, but also easy to manage and respectful of authority.

Examples

keoi5佢go3個zai2仔hou2好cung1聰ming4明teng1聽waa6話，seng4成jat6日bong1幫sau2手zou6做gaa1家mou6務。

His son is very clever and obedient, he helps with housework all the time.

nei5你sai3細go3個go2嗰zan6陣hai6係mai6咪hou2好cung1聰ming4明teng1聽waa6話㗎？

Were you a very clever and obedient child when you were young?

Common phrases

jau6又cung1聰ming4明jau6又teng1聽waa6話

both clever and obedient

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe adults in a professional or casual setting, as it sounds patronizing and implies the person is being treated like a child.